Annual report

The total assessed value of the Granville Business Improvement District was approximately $444 million, and it has not lost value in the year.

• Maintains more than 12 miles of medians, contracting to cut and fertilize grass, remove litter and clear dumped materials from April through the first frost.
• Planted 20 annual and perennial flower beds along the corridor stretches.
• Decorates the corridors during the holidays with 200 wreaths and ribbons and lights in the shopping areas.
• Contracts Riverworks to clean up and take care of dumping in the district.

• Contracted with SOS for security; together the team responded to over 800 calls covering panhandlers, unruly customers, suspicious behaviour and vehicles, employee firings, domestic situations requiring escorts, parking lot watch, break-ins and minor disputes.
• The ambassador talked to employees and employers and acted as a liaison through the year.
• Crime in the BID is down. Vehicle thefts were limited to the country-wide Kia and Hyundai problem, with only four reported in the industrial parks.
• Most crimes are property related and non-violent. The prevalence of crime in Granville is very low compared with the city as a whole.
• Drag racing incidents decreased by 95 percent in the district, with no reported uptick during the summer.
• Major security issues involve employee safety because of threats to employees.

• The BID employed 2 people.
• The BID hosts 4 board meetings and one annual meeting.

• Awarded six security camera grants. Occupancy in the industrial sector is more than 90 percent.
• Provided workforce leadership training for 32 employees and lean yellow belt training for six companies.
• Kicked off a C-suite breakfast series.
• Contacted every small business in the district four or more times to keep them current on issues.
• Collaborated with the African American Professional Human Resources Association to bring our companies to their annual convention on diversity, inclusion leadership and change in the workplace.
• Celebrated manufacturing and acknowledged manufacturers who participated in incumbent workforce training.
• The Granville Connection at 8633 W Brown Deer Road continues to progress, with six restaurants, more than 35 retailers, an antique store, studios, gathering space and niche spaces. The BID was awarded a WEDC grant to help pay for a food hall kitchen.
• Granville Cares gave five grants to small businesses to improve their businesses.

• Received news coverage in 20 articles or television and radio outlets.
• Facebook fans increased from 1,600 to more than 1,711.
• The Granville Blues Fest was held in June and more than 16,000 people attended the three-day celebration.
• The Granville Village Harvest Fest expanded to two days, with dance, impersonator performances, dance lessons, horses, arts, face painting, a photo booth and karaoke.
• Collaborated with the annual Faith and Blue event.
• Hosted and participated in a house buying fair in March, a wellness fair in November and a small business fair in November.
• Launched the Holiday Wonderland at 8633 W Brown Deer Rd with the Business Council for Shop Local Saturday and the following weekend.
• Collaborated with Goodrich Elementary School.
• Advertised on billboards, radio stations and community papers.

The year was one of reflection, vision, direction and grit — a year to ignite and build momentum. Several new businesses are moving into the area across manufacturing, food and retail, and the BID is working to energize the corridor as Northridge becomes a memory and the future becomes now.

• Lead the retail, restaurant and arts incubators.
• Keep building a sustainable workforce as a top priority.
• Bring entrepreneur and wealth creation training to teens.
• Form a small business mentee and coaching program.
• Stay prominent in diversity programs with the National Association of African American Human Resource Professionals.
• Form C-suite roundtables, with computer skills and Excel training ongoing.
• Work toward expanding the BID to 124th Street to include all of Granville, and stay actively involved with the Neighborhood Advisory Board.

• Build on our manufacturing reputation to provide thousands of great jobs.
• Create spaces for play, recreation and celebration of Granville’s diversity.
• Attract new businesses that innovate and drive economic growth.
• Become a center for marketing, manufacturing, education and community building.