NBC's Position:

The City of Spokane, Economic Development Division's Neighborhood Business Centers Program (NBC) is working with Center Business Associations to revitalize Spokane’s historic pedestrian oriented commercial districts by helping to implement the Comprehensive Plan in the “Centers and Corridors” which are identified for focused infill growth. These neighborhood centers add strength and diversity to Spokane's economy. NBC fosters community well being, local character, a sense of place, and prosperity by supporting small businesses, community interests, safety, tourism, and local events within vibrant family oriented neighborhood business centers.

These walkable, traditional business centers are a unique destination for the tourist or resident at large and yet they are also the neighborhood center and community gathering spot. They offer numerous antiques and antiquity expertise; the usual and the unusual; music and expertise on instruments, lessons, and production assistance; the funky and fun gift, jewelry, and book stores along with some of the best coffee houses, bakeries, and local restaurants in the city all nestled among historic buildings, playgrounds, and neighborhood parks.

Locally Owned Business Recognition

If a business could not visit City Hall during the decal pick-up days (June 23-25th) they can mail a self addressed stamped envelop to:

City of Spokane, Taxes & Licenses, Locally Owned Program
808 W Spokane Falls Blvd
Spokane, WA 99201.

Please include: the business name, address and owner’s name

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2009

Contact: Ellen Dolan
City Treasurer
(509) 625-6035


Teri Stripes
Business & Development Services, NBC Program Manager
(509) 625-6597

“LOCALLY OWNED” BUSINESSES GET NEW RECOGNITION
City also plans amnesty week to get businesses current on licensing

Looking to support locally owned businesses? The City of Spokane is trying to make it easier for you.

The City has developed the Locally Owned Recognition Program to draw attention to small businesses that are owned and operated within the City. Qualified business will receive a decal (shown below) to display in their windows that lets customers know they’re helping to support their local economy.

To read the entire press release

NBC Indicators and Services

Currently, NBC works with four types of centers designated in Spokane’s Comprehensive Plan. The Center designations reflect differences in size, intensity of uses, and other characteristics. The "NBC program indicators & services" were developed to help determine what assistance to provide to Spokane’s Center Business Associations. These indicators describe what physical design, economic, promotional, and organizational attributes each type of center should have. NBC develops individually tailored services to help each district reach its full potential as described by the indicators.

Click below to view the NBC Indicators and Services:

"Discover Spokane's Neighborhood Business Centers"

» Downtown
» Garland
» Hillyard
» Monroe
» Perry
» Sprague

Why Support Locally Owned Businesses?

Please click on the above link to find out why.

Who Benefits from a Revitalized Commercial District?

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STAKEHOLDERS BENEFITS
Merchants Greater opportunity for growth and expansion
Expanded customer base
Less financial risk
Property Owners Stable or higher rents
Increased occupancy rates
Improved marketability of property
Higher property values
Financial Institutions Expanded business customer base
Expanded residential customer base
Improved public image and goodwill
Fulfillment of community reinvestment mandate
Professionals and Service Businesses Ready-made customer base of district employees
Location near government, banks, post office, and other institutions
Nearby amenities for clients and staff
Chamber of Commerce Potential new member businesses
Healthier overall business climate
Potential partnerships on joint projects
Residents Local accessibility to goods and services
Opportunities for volunteerism and leadership development
Preservation of community for future generations
More employment opportunities
Stronger tax base to support other community aspects (schools, parks, etc.)
Local Government Increased sales and property tax base
Protection of property values and infrastructure investment
Reduced cost of services, such as police and fire protection
Reduced pressure for sprawl development
Community Partners
(CDCs, BIDs, civic clubs,
historical societies, historic
preservation organizations,
religious institutions, senior
citizens, arts groups, etc.)
Improved quality of life in the community
New membership potential among new residents
Achievement of common goals
Preservation of community history
Schools Youth involvement in civic projects
Use of commercial district as "classroom" for school projects
Potential employment and business opportunities
More places to go and activities for youths
Businesses Outside the
Commercial District
Increased visitor traffic to the community
Improved municipal services throughout community
Increased business from overall healthier
Additional amenities for employees and clients
Industry Improved quality of life makes recruiting and retaining employees easier

Frequently Asked Questions

What does NBC stand for?

Neighborhood Business Centers Program

How do I contact NBC?

Teri Stripes, Business & Development Coordinator
tstripes@spokanecity.org
(509) 625-6597 or 625-6983
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201

What is the NBC Program?

The City of Spokane Neighborhood Business Centers (NBC) Program is working with neighborhood business associations and neighborhood councils to revitalize Spokane’s historic pedestrian oriented commercial districts. These neighborhood centers add strength and diversity to Spokane's economy. NBC fosters community well being, local character, a sense of place, and prosperity by supporting small businesses, community interests, safety, tourism, and local events within vibrant family oriented neighborhood commercial districts.

Why does NBC work to revitalize the neighborhood business centers?

To protect, preserve and revitalize these walkable, traditional business centers, which are a unique destination for the tourist or resident at large and yet they are the neighborhood center and community gathering spot. They offer numerous antiques and antiquity expertise; the usual and the unusual music and expertise on instruments, lessons, and production assistance; the funky and fun gift, jewelry, and book stores along with some of the best coffee houses, bakeries, and local restaurants in the city all nestled among historic buildings, playgrounds, and neighborhood parks.

Because an inviting atmosphere created through vibrant pedestrian scale streetscapes, economic vitality, traffic calming, attractive window displays, parking areas, building improvements, street furniture, signs, sidewalks, street lights, and landscaping all conveys a positive visual message about the commercial district and what it has to offer.

How does NBC revitalize the neighborhood business centers?

The NBC program provides the technical assistance and guidance to 5-7 neighborhood business associations to assist them in implementing their programs and projects. The NBC program is also a network member of the National Trust Main Street Center http://www.mainstreet.org/ and participates in the Washington State Main Street Downtown Tier System at the Affiliate level. Though NBC is a few years away from reaching Main Street’s coordinating/citywide status, we still follow its Four-Point Approach ™ to revitalization. Currently, we provide organizational and technical assistance for funding and implement capital improvements, and work on promotion with the neighborhood business associations.

What is the Four-Point Approach that NBC follows?

  1. Design/Improvements --means getting the neighborhood business center into top physical shape. Capitalizing on its best assets — such as historic buildings and pedestrian-oriented streets — is just part of the story.

    An inviting atmosphere created through attractive window displays, parking areas, building improvements, street furniture, signs, sidewalks, streetlights, and landscaping, conveys a positive visual message about the commercial district and what it has to offer.

    Design activities also include instilling good maintenance practices in the commercial district, enhancing the physical appearance of the commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging appropriate new construction, developing sensitive design management systems, and long-term planning.

    NBC assists in implementing capital improvements and programs that affect the public realm such as streetscape improvements, façade improvements, etc.

  2. Organization Development involves getting everyone working toward the same goal and assembling the appropriate human and financial resources to implement a neighborhood business center revitalization.

    A governing board and standing committees make up the fundamental organizational structure of the volunteer-driven program.

    This structure not only divides the workload and clearly delineates responsibilities, but also builds consensus and cooperation among the various stakeholders.

  3. Promotion/Marketing sells a positive image of the commercial district and encourages consumers and investors to live, work, shop, play and invest in the neighborhood business district.

    By marketing a district's unique characteristics to residents, investors, business owners, and visitors; an effective promotional strategy forges a positive image through advertising, retail promotional activity, special events, and marketing campaigns carried out by local volunteers.

    These activities improve consumer and investor confidence in the district and encourage commercial activity and investment in the area.

    NBC promotes the business associations through its web site and Facebook providing technical assistance and guidance to 5-7 business associations in putting on an annual neighborhood shopping event; Girls Day Out; promoting them as great places to live, work and play.

  4. Economic Restructuring strengthens a community's existing economic assets while expanding and diversifying its economic base.

    Neighborhood business center revitalization helps sharpen the competitiveness of existing business owners and recruits compatible new businesses and new economic uses to build a commercial district that responds to today's consumers' needs. Converting unused or underused commercial space into economically productive property also helps boost the profitability of the district.

    Coincidentally, design, promotion, organization and economic restructuring correspond with the four forces of real estate value, which are social, political, physical, and economic.

    NBC tracks data for the business associations and centers on their economic health and vitality and to assist the business associations in creating their business development, retention and recruitment plans.

Who does NBC work with?

Currently, NBC Works with six formal non-profit business associations and a couple start up groups on neighborhood priority projects and providing technical assistance and guidance on revitalization activities.

Can NBC work with our neighborhood council or business association?

Yes and no, NBC provides assistance and great information to everyone. NBC can also assist you with guidance in building your organizational capacity and/or in forming a business association. Once your organization grows NBC can start working with you on specific projects and the implementation of your priorities.