West End Business & Professional Association

West End Business & Professional Association

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Our Sister Organziation:
The West End Business Revitalization Corporation (West End BRC)

In 1998, WEBPA's Commercial Revitalization Committee proudly reached its goal of successfully hiring an Executive Director and forming a spin-off/"sister" organization -- The West End BRC!

The West End Business Revitalization Corporation (West End BRC) is a non-profit organization, incorporated in June of 1998. The West End BRC was created by the West End Business & Professional Association (WEBPA) to address the need for commercial revitalization on West Seventh Street in St. Paul. To that end, a Commercial Revitalization Committee was formed, which determined that a new non-profit organization should be developed to provide support for ongoing economic development in the community. With grants awarded by various Foundations and city of St. Paul STAR funds, WEBPA was able to form the West End BRC and hire its first Executive Director in June 1998. The BRC’s current activities include assisting local business owners with low interest loans and grants for making exterior storefront improvements, working closely with the West End Work Resource Hub on workforce development matters, and matching the skills and energies of children with employers through job shadowing and mentoring opportunities. The West End BRC continues a special affiliation with WEBPA and numerous other West End organizations, as we work toward our shared goal of commercial revitalization and betterment of the overall West End community. We envision a vibrant and flourishing West End Saint Paul community for business owners, employees, residents, and visitors created through our shared commitment.

If your business is interested in applying for a grant/low-interest loan for making exterior improvements to your business, please call Holly Crouse, West End BRC Executive Director at 651-298-9928. She will be happy to answer your questions and provide you with an application.

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About our association

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Dear West End Business Owner/Professional:

Thank you for your interest in the West End Business & Professional Association (WEBPA). We believe you will find the Association to be a fun and informative resource for both networking and business development opportunities.

As an organization comprised of dedicated individuals, business owners and community leaders, we are committed to making a difference in the revitalization and economic development of the West End area, and are interested in doing what we can to impact the success of community businesses. After all, our motto is "For Better Business".

This is a very exciting time to become a member of the WEBPA! Please call Lynda Barry at 651-224-6707 if you have any questions, or are interested in receiving a membership application or WEBPA brochure.

We look forward to your involvement and participation! Hope to see you at the next General Membership meeting (first Monday of the month at 6:30 PM, in the Rathskeller Hall, MN Brewery -- W 7th and Jefferson).

Please scroll down to see a list of our 1998 accomplishments:

It's membership/dues renewal time ... and there's never been a more exciting time to be a member of the WEBPA! ... Once again, we realized a number of very inspiring achievements in 1998, and there are many new and exciting changes on the horizon for 1999!

• 1998: The Commercial Revitalization Committee proudly reached its goal of successfully hiring an Executive Director and forming a spin-off/"sister" organization. Please make a point of meeting The West End Business Revitalization Corporation's (West End BRC's) Executive Director, Kimberly Nuckles, if you haven't already done so, and take a moment to read the enclosed West End BRC update outlining the significant accomplishments made throughout the community thus far as a result of Kimberly's hard work!

• 1998: We continued to be involved with city planning committees such as the: Shepard Road Design Committee; Science Museum Planning Committee; W 7th Community Partnerships Committee; Shepard/Davern Task Force; and the Capital City Partnership Neighborhood Marketing Committee -- which was instrumental in helping us create the 1st annual Festa-Fest, and bringing our W 7th Parade and Festival back to the neighborhood!

• 1998: We enjoyed a fabulous Gold Plate Dinner at Mancinis and a great Holiday Party at the Rathskeller Hall -- MN Brewery, catered by Rooster's BBQ!

• We are looking forward to 1999 with great anticipation! The newly elected Board of Directors represents the community well and includes: Dan Galles (President) -- Seasons Inn; Rich Gapinski (Vice President)-- Roosters BBQ; Roger Amundson (Treasurer) - Dakota Bank; Kimberly Nuckles - West End BRC; Mike Frederickson -- Salvation Army; Jim Smith - W 7th Community Center; Mark Hottinger - National Checking; David Essling - Attorney; Patrick Donohue - Donohue Real Estate; Greg Galles -- Galles Companies; and Ruth Pechmann - St. Paul Open School. ... a great group of committed volunteers ready and willing to make a difference in the WEBPA and in the community!

• Projects already "in-the-works" include: a new "Guide to W 7th Street/Membership Directory; a WEBPA Web Site; a Quarterly Newsletter; our 1st annual Golf Tournament; and more! This also marks the first year we will proudly award a $4,000 College Scholarship to an area high school Senior, made possible through a generous ($3,000) contribution from the Midway Lions Club!

• We look forward to a new year of greater involvement and participation in the association from all members -- through regular meeting attendance and/or by serving on one or more of our newly structured committees. As a West End business owner/professional, this is YOUR forum ... your opportunity to make a difference in the business climate and overall vitality of the West End area ... and in your own business through the fabulous networking opportunities membership makes possible!

• Call Lynda Barry 651-224-6386 with questions, concerns or comments. Thank you!

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