Oswego Economic Development Commission Meeting - August 6, 2025

The Oswego Economic Development Commission (EDC) met on August 6, 2025, at 6:00 PM at Village Hall. The meeting covered new business, old business, and reports, including financial incentive requests, amendments to the Economic Development Incentive Award (EDIA) program, business retention and expansion visits, and planning for an EDC open house. The commission also welcomed a new student commissioner and heard public comments from a village board member.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the June 9, 2025, Special EDC meeting were approved unanimously (7-0).
• Financial Incentive Requests: Two incentive requests, already approved by the Village Board, were reported:
  • Bay 54: A new cocktail lounge at the former bike rack space in downtown Oswego (owned by the same owners of The Lewis in St. Charles) received a $38,000 grant and a $32,000 loan (10-year term) for ADA improvements, equipment, and build-out, including a future phase with a small kitchen.
  • Taco Dale Cantina: Taking over the former Taphouse space, received a $22,000 grant for cosmetic work, a new cooler, and signs. The owner aims to open within a few weeks with a ribbon cutting on August 22.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Village Board Member (speaker not named): The board member, a former EDC member, offered several suggestions: creating tip sheets for different business use cases (rebrand, new business, improvement) to help them navigate village processes; using mile markers for business retention visits (e.g., check in at three months for restaurants); and encouraging EDC member attendance at Village Board meetings when incentives are voted on to show support. The member also clarified the Traughber property situation: the school district issued an RFP with only one response, and any development will go through standard village approval processes. The member noted that board members have raised safety concerns (likely referencing recent vehicle intrusion incidents) and that staff are working on a safety incentive or education program.

Discussion Items

• EDIA Program Amendments: The commission’s recommended changes to the EDIA program were largely adopted by the Village Board, with two minor tweaks: landscaping, roof repairs, and roof replacement were made partially eligible (up to $5,000 cap); building painting and cleaning were made fully eligible. Parking lot improvements had been recommended by the commission as partially eligible (up to $5,000). The amendments were approved at the Village Board on consent.
• Call for Future Agenda Items: Members discussed several potential topics:
  • Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) Survey: The commission agreed to revisit a draft survey to improve the BRE process and consider a roll-up report of business visit findings (while keeping individual business information confidential).
  • Business Concierge Program: Director Kevin reported that the program is active with a team approach (involving himself, Assistant Development Services Director Rachel Ryman Schneider, and Building Permits Manager Jose Zavala). Success stories include Freddy’s Off the Chain, Hello Gorgeous (signage issue resolved), and a Crumbl Cookie franchisee (lacking a project manager). Members discussed promoting the program through permit packets, social media, and the chamber.
  • Safety Incentives: Following recent events (vehicle intrusions), a member suggested using the EDIA program to incentivize safety upgrades like bollards. Director Kevin noted that permanent safety improvements are likely eligible under current criteria.
  • Project Review Group (PRG) Coordination: A member suggested requiring all outside agencies (fire, Fox Metro) to commit at PRG meetings to reduce last-minute changes. Kevin explained that while PRG meetings exist for site plans, formal commitments are difficult until plans are submitted, and the volume of permits limits feasibility, but the concierge program helps navigate these issues.
• Retention & Expansion Visits: Director Kevin reported visits with Giordano’s, Sage’s Meat Market, and Pause on Main. Pause on Main owner expressed concerns about declining foot traffic, parking, and inventory management. Kevin connected her with SCORE and the Small Business Development Center. He also noted blocked parking spaces in front of Denny’s Trains that could potentially be repurposed, pending engineering and budget.
• Business of the Month: Nominations are set through November 2025 (Sage’s Market in August, Hometown Insurance in September, Westfall Chevy in October, Church of the Good Shepherd in November). New nominations were tabled for next meeting: Hometown Cleaners, Serve Bank, and Ace Hardware. December and all of 2026 are open.
• Ongoing EDC Initiatives: Director Kevin proposed an EDC open house in October or early November to educate the public about economic development and the concierge program. Members supported the idea, suggested venues like Whitetail Ridge Golf Dome or the American Legion, and discussed timing to avoid holiday rushes. Volunteers (Terry, Laura, Angie) offered to help plan.
• Economic Development Director’s Report: Kevin provided updates on new businesses: Nori Sushi is open; Skechers opens August 8; Candy Cloud opened; Crumbl Cookie targets fall; the mystery grocery store (unnamed) and adjacent retail space (10,000 sq ft) are coming soon with tenants yet unknown; Woody’s Wings (quick-service) and Scooters are planned for Orchard Road; Duncan is under construction at Route 71, Plainfield, and Washington, targeting end-of-year; downtown Taco Dale and Bay 54 are progressing. Danelli’s property has sold (closed) and the buyer is seeking an operator, likely Italian. Terry Anderson reported the sale took time due to financing hurdles and the broker is now leasing the restaurant space.
• Traughber Property: Director Kevin noted preliminary discussions about the school district selling the old Traughber property to the village, which would then convey it to a developer. The concept includes mixed-use multifamily (rental and for-sale), but no specifics. The property will require full site plan approval. Members expressed concerns about community backlash over rental housing but noted the need for alternative and affordable housing. Village Board member confirmed only one RFP response and that any plan will go through standard process, noting the property currently generates no tax revenue.
• EDC Members’ Reports: Laura Witt invited members to a Chamber business after-hours at Fox Valley Winery on August 7, 5-7 PM. There was no update on the cricket stadium; Kevin stated financing is the holdup.

Key Outcomes

• Financial Incentives: The approved grants and loans (Bay 54, Taco Dale) were noted as already approved by the Village Board; commission took no further action.
• EDIA Program: Amendments were adopted by the Village Board as presented, with minor changes noted; commission endorsed the final criteria.
• Future Agenda Items: The commission agreed to revisit the BRE survey, hear a formal presentation on the business concierge program at a future meeting, and consider adding safety incentives to the EDIA program.
• Business of the Month: Nominations will be brought forward at the next meeting for the three candidates.
• Open House: Planning to proceed with volunteers; target date in October with venue and details to be determined.
• Traughber Property: No action taken; commission will monitor the development as it proceeds through village review processes.
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 PM.