By By MATT HEWITT / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Despite an economic depression in Michigan, 2007 has been an above average year for Niles businesses said Ronald Sather, president and CEO of the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce.
"2007 has been a mixed bag for many businesses. Some have experienced gains and some downsizing of sales."
Sather said retail and restaurants were hurt the most this year, but gas stations and grocery stores have managed to stay strong.
Niles has seen a few closures this year, but that has been offset by a large number of grand openings, he said.
"Despite the lag in the economy, we have a had a jump-start in grand openings. This year, the community has seen 36, the largest number in the last 20 years.
"Another record broken this year was the construction of the new Chemical Bank. The downtown area had not seen a new development like that in the past 20 years. That really says a lot about downtown rejuvenation here."
Sather said being so close to the border has been beneficial.
"Being joined at the hip to South Bend is a plus to this area, people who live in Niles work in Indiana, and people who live in Indiana work in Niles. The suffering from our economy would be much worse without that relationship."
Even during a slowdown of the housing market on a national level, Niles has maintained a steady number of house sales.
Sather said he sees 2008 as a great year for opportunity.
"I think everyone is ready to get out of 2007 and ready to try 2008 on for size. With a forecast of fair national housing market, a stabilized stock market, and less financial and political uncertainty, we should see an increase in the economy."
Sather said the Chamber of Commerce has accomplished a great deal this year and also attributes a growth in business to different programs the Chamber of Commerce has implemented.
"Grand openings are free for members, we are also unique in the we give each member a free website where they can put pictures and information up. Some restaurants use this to put up a menu."
Sather thinks that business seminars put on by the Chamber of Commerce this year have also been beneficial.
"This year, we had six seminars, topics range from customer service to identity theft, which was new this year," Sather said.
The Chamber of Commerce uses membership dues to help the community by putting on events like the Santa Claus arrival and funding the annual fireworks.
"The Chamber of Commerce, city officials, Niles townships, surrounding townships and school districts are all a team and are in this together, when one benefits, the others benefit."