The Chamber has taken an active role in the efforts to make the Arena and associated development in the west Haymarket a reality for Lincoln. There are many ways in which you can help us, either individually or as a business.
We encourage all of our members to become educated on the project and share their support with at least five co-workers, friends or family members. Most importantly, we are asking everyone to VOTE YES on May 11, 2010.
The Chamber and YPG are in the process of gathering signatures of support to present as representatives from both organizations present in front of the Lincoln City Council on Monday, February 8.
The Lincoln City Council will take up several arena related items during its February 8th meeting. At issue will be the Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the City regarding the University’s use of the facility for men’s and women’s basketball, an order to form a Joint Public Agency with the University to actually construct the arena, and ballot language that will go before the voters regarding the Mayor’s promise that the arena won’t go forward without a positive vote of the people.
The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce will testify in favor of all three issues before the City Council. Chamber President Wendy Birdsall and Chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors Nick Cusick will deliver the testimony. Leadership from Lincoln’s Young Professionals Group will also be there to speak in support.
Testimony will focus on several key factors that make the arena a “must-have” for the citizens of Lincoln. Including, the number of new jobs created both by the construction of the arena and its associated development and the need for a new facility to replace the Pershing Center and make our community once again a desirable destination for touring concerts and entertainment acts. The City Council is scheduled to both hear testimony on the arena and vote on the issue during their February 8th meeting.
Additionally the Chamber and Lincoln’s Young Professionals Group are working to provide outreach specific to the business community.
Business Toolkit
Materials are available for you to place within your business to educate your employees and clients as you see appropriate. We can provide you with brochures, voter registration cards and flyers with information about the project. If you are interested in receiving or finding out more about the toolkit, please email Kathy Dvorak, kdvorak@lcoc.com.
YPG Arena Ambassadors
Lincoln’s YPG is working with the campaign to train young professionals in our community to give a basic presentation about the arena project and encouraging them to speak as to why they are personally supportive of the project. We will be scheduling presentations throughout Lincoln in the coming months. If you would like to schedule a presentation for your employees, please contact Stephanie Dostal, sdostal@lcoc.com
Arena Business Cards
Nick Cusick, IMSCORP, and Chamber Board Chairman for 2010, has made available personalized business cards that indicate support for the arena and provide Election Day instructions and reminders on early and absentee voting. To get your free personalized cards, please visit www.arenaYES.org. These cards can be passed out to others and are a great way to start a conversation on the importance of this project for Lincoln.
Assist the Campaign
If you would like to help the campaign in a more traditional sense like displaying a yard sign, making phone calls, etc. Please visit www.lincolnhaymarketarena.com.
