Guest Editorial: Wy we need a strategic business development plan

May 12th, 2008

By Sun Prairie Alderman John Murray

The recent announcement by Tom Hanley that his family business of over 80 years will be closing its doors is somber news for our community. The factors cited for the closing were, to many, not surprising: the current downturn in the economy, competition from larger format retailers, the impending reconstruction of Main Street and Mr. Hanley's desire to retire.

The Hanley family is owed a great debt of gratitude and we should all tip our hats to them for staying in business for so long given the highly competitive nature of retailing.

The closing of Hanley's is yet another indicator that we need to put some serious thought into the future of our local economy. Along with Mayor Chase and my colleagues on the City Council, I have been working for the past year to promote the creation of a strategic business development plan for Sun Prairie. The City Council recently approved a resolution creating an ad hoc economic development committee to...

Read Complete Story >

Does your family attend a local church?