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Councilwoman
Nicole George

601 West Jefferson Street
(502) 574-1121
Contact Nicole

Legislative Aide
Rachel Roarx
Contact Rachel

Visit the District 21 Website

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IN THIS ISSUE...

• A MESSAGE FROM NICOLE GEORGE: TURNING HUMILITY INTO UNABASHED PRIDE
• IMAGE OF THE ISSUE: 15 THINGS YOU CAN DO THIS WEEK TO FOSTER A SENSE OF PRIDE IN LOCAL BUSINESS
• COMMISSIONER'S SALE PROPERTIES: RETAIL FOLLOWS ROOFTOPS
• RESUMING SATELLITE OFFICE HOURS IN LYNNVIEW

A MESSAGE FROM NICOLE GEORGE: TURNING HUMILITY INTO UNABASHED PRIDE

In the Southend, many of us are culturally known for being "down-to-earth" and having great humility. While positive, these cultural inclinations do not always reflect how others see us. I was reminded of this phenomenon in a recent conversation when a friend from a neighboring district touted Preston Highway as being home to one of the best Thai restaurants in Louisville. Admittedly, I was not aware this restaurant had this reputation and it gave me pause. What else have I been missing out on or taking for granted that is right in my own backyard? 

It is human nature to take for granted what is closest to us and under-rate its value. This can be even more the case when we are adverse to boasting or have been acculturated to make associations between positive happenings with otherness. Perhaps this can be felt nowhere else more than within our business community.  

So how do we turn our humility into unabashed pride, particularly during a pandemic when routine practices have been uprooted and complicated in ways many of us could not have fathomed prior to COVID-19? How do we foster a sense of pride that supports our businesses when they are most in need?

While there have been helpful supports to small business during this time... (like Louisville Metro's $21.2 million allocation of CARES act funds for small business COVID-19 relief grants, Metro Planning & Design Services' work in helping businesses to adapt use of space and to find creative solutions like expanded outdoor seating, the Woodlawn Avenue outdoor activation project, and more, AND local community organizations like the Center for Neighborhoods and area business associations ramping up their work to connect and support business) ...the ultimate power is in your dollars and actions!

Our business community needs us and there is an abundance of ways we can contribute to helping business thrive, thereby advancing our quality of life and sense of place.

Sincerely,

Nicole

IMAGE OF THE ISSUE: 15 THINGS YOU CAN DO THIS WEEK TO FOSTER A SENSE OF PRIDE IN LOCAL BUSINESS

1. Share a positive experience with a friend about a local business in your neighborhood, particularly with those from the other areas of Louisville  
2. Invite someone to join you at your favorite local business 
3. Slow down to consider what is driving your purchasing decision by asking yourself if there is an alternative local option that you could choose  
4. Write a positive review or offer a rating online
5. Post about a great experience on social media  
6. Be willing to gently and directly share with a business owner an opportunity for improvement (e.g. employees wearing masks, aesthetics of trash and weeds, safety, etc.) Nothing replaces an honest and sincere one-on-one conversation
7. Apply for the Southwest Dream Team's Future Dreamers Civic Leadership Academy  (Scholarships are available for this 5 session course)
8. Recognize past or current success stories where community or neighborhood support led to a new business coming to your area and explain what all contributed to this win
9. Utilize the Louisville Independent Business Alliance's LIBA Directories. You can search by black-owned business members, under represented business member, or search by category for the type of business
10. Invite a local business to join LIBA by becoming a member
11. Invite a business to join the following Facebook Groups South Louisville Business Association and Prosper Preston
12. Promote a vacant commercial property to a new or expanding business
13. Invite an immigrant-owned business to complete the Office of Globalization's Global Louisville Directory
14. Share small business resources from Louisville Forward or click here for more general information
15. Use the online South Points Scenic Area map to plan your next family outing

COMMISSIONER'S SALE PROPERTIES: RETAIL FOLLOWS ROOFTOPS

In the spirit of supporting local business, it is important to remember that retail often follows rooftops, meaning that restoring vacant houses in our area to local use can create demand for more business if neighbors stay informed and involved. 

Below are District 21 properties that are heading to an upcoming Jefferson Circuit Court Commissioner's Sale.

Commissioner Sales begin at 9:30 a.m. and are held at the Louisville Slugger Field, 401 East Main Street, Louisville, KY. Use the Main Street entrance. Sales to be held in the West Side of the Hall of Fame. Health and safety measures to include social distancing and the use of facial coverings over the nose and mouth will be required at sales.

For more information, please visit the Jefferson Circuit Court Commissioner's Office website.

September 10th

• 4641 Cliff Ave
• 6208 Southside Dr
• 1105 Walter Ave
• 412 Mac Brae Rd
• 875 Honeysuckle Way
• 135 E Wellington Ave

September 24th

• 702 Gheens Ave
• 1012 Seelbach Ave

PRESTON HWY RESIDENT/USER SURVEY LAUNCHES

Councilmembers Nicole George and Pat Mulvihill support the effort of a coalition of community members, area business owners, and civic leaders who have formed the “Prosper Preston” partnership. In partnership with the D21 council office, Prosper Preston recently hired the Louisville Independent Business Alliance to assist with surveys for area businesses and residents. The goal of the survey is to better understand the perspective of business owners and perceived opportunities of residents and corridor users.

The resident/user survey asks about corridor assets, and what other business categories would prosper on Preston. It can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ProsperPreston.

The first 50 respondents to each survey will also receive a voucher for a free cup of coffee from Heine Brothers’ Coffee, proud Schnitzelburg business, located near the intersection of S Preston St and Eastern Pkwy.

If you are a business and would like to complete the Prosper Preston survey, please contact the council office.

About the Prosper Preston Partnership

Prosper Preston’s is vision is to join together the diverse Preston Highway communities to enhance mobility and connection, strengthen the local economy, and positively impact quality of life. Join us on Facebook by visiting https://www.facebook.com/groups/prestonhighway/.

About the Louisville Independent Business Alliance

LIBA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the unique community character of the Metro Louisville area by promoting locally owned businesses and to educate citizens on the value of buying locally. For more information about LIBA, visit www.keeplouisvilleweird.com.

RESUMING SATELLITE OFFICE HOURS IN LYNNVIEW

We will be once again be available the 3^rd Wednesday of each month at Lynnview City Hall (1241 Gilmore Ln. 40213) from 9am-3pm. Our next date is September 16th. 

Note: The District 21 office uses this time to address issues in the area in addition to being at Lynnview City Hall. You may want to call ahead (502-966-4086) to make sure we will be in the office before you stop in.