Something’s Coming in 2010

Ashley Ledford and Sarah Buckner stand in the Hamilton County Convention & Visitors Bureau welcome center on Main Street.

Take a walk or a drive through Carmel and be a firsthand witness to the mounting excitement that’s building in our city. Some days you can all but hear that song of anticipation and expectancy from West Side Story, reverberating throughout the streets: “Could it be? Yes it could. Something’s coming, something good.”

It’s almost a palpable rhythm that pounds under your feet when you see the change and growth happening all around as Carmel moves into a new year.

One thing is for certain, it’s that time of year when the world is ripe for change and resolutions abound for the coming year. In Carmel, there will be lots of interesting changes ahead — change that will impact a variety of businesses, organizations and the users of their services. We talked to a handful of local organizations to learn what’s coming down the pike for them in 2010.

At the Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sarah Buckner reports their marketing campaign focusing on “8 Great Towns/1 Destination,” has been highly successful in spite of last year’s uncertain economy. The HCCVB measures that success by the dramatic increase in Web visits and the increase in room demand for Hamilton County hotels.

“We started blogging and doing a lot of social media this year,” says Buckner. Her blog, found at blog.8greattowns.com, has become a pivotal tool in helping search engines direct traffic to Hamilton County. Adding to the synergy is a regular Wednesday blog feature highlighting 8 great things to do in Hamilton County over the following weekend.

Carmel native and Food Network celebrity Ted Allen will be featured in the 2010 HCCVB ad campaign.

Bringing more visitors to Hamilton County is part of the HCCVB goal. According to Buckner, “In 2010 we will focus on local dining and unique places to eat.” Part of their print campaign promoting great dining in Hamilton County will feature Carmel native and Food Network regular, Ted Allen.

To give you a sense of the impact HCCVB’s work has, consider the economic impact of these numbers: 1.8 million visitors to Hamilton County with visitor spending of $244 million. Think that’s impressive? The 2009 numbers are not yet available, but are anticipated to be even more substantial.

In 2010, the HCCVB will be opening a new welcome center in Noblesville. This is in addition to the one at the Fishers train station and one next to their office on Main Street in Carmel. When asked why people want to visit here, Buckner replies, “Big city features but with small town charm. We offer a safe, unique place to visit and bring your family to.”

By all accounts, it’s going to be a banner year for HCCVB.

Accessibility is the buzz word for 2010 at the Monon Center and Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation. Several new developments are in the works according to Michael Klitzing, Assistant Director at Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CPRP).

“Our park board has been working with a consultant to develop a business plan to help guide the future. Part of that includes improvements to the Monon pass that allows use of all areas of the facilities,” says Klitzing. “We’ve traditionally used an a la carte system at the Monon Center. Based on feedback from the community, we are transitioning [over the next 2 years] to a more encompassing pass.”

In 2010, the purchase of the new pass will give you access to nearly all the services the Monon offers including the indoor fitness, indoor and outdoor aquatics, and the gymnasium. Anyone who currently has the Monon pass will be able to use the KidZone for free. If you hold a household pass, you will have unlimited participation in all of the group fitness classes, including water aerobics.

“It’s a more encompassing option than what we’ve traditionally offered,” says Klitzing. “We are enhancing opportunities for our guests and pass holders.”

Other changes in the new year, based on customer feedback, include the introduction of Little Seeds Preschool in the fall with preschool opportunities during the day for families with younger children. Also, swim lessons will be available on a more flexible time schedule, including Sundays.

Klitzing states that they are receptive to ideas and feedback from the community. “We’re a community based facility and it’s important to understand what all the citizens of Carmel and Clay want, but especially those who use our services and have their memberships with us. We’re dedicated to providing a high quality experience for family fun.”

Beth Smietana, Communications Manager at the Carmel Clay Public Library.

What’s new in 2010 for the Carmel Clay Public Library? Reciprocal borrowing! According to Beth Smietana, Communications Manager, “Starting January 2, if you have a Carmel Clay Public Library card, you will be able to borrow materials from any library in the county.”

This new arrangement for library users will expand the resources available to patrons and eliminate the need for Hamilton County residents to purchase a PLAC (Public Library Access Card) to check out materials at the following Hamilton County Libraries: Sheridan, Westfield, Hamilton North (Cicero/Atlanta), Hamilton East (Noblesville/Fishers), and Carmel Clay.

“We hope to do more programming together in the future,” says Smietana. “We already do the ‘Hamilton County Reads’ where all the county libraries participated in one book. In February or March we plan to announce this year’s book.”

Other items on the 2010 agenda at the Carmel library are the installation of a new phone system to help staff work more efficiently. Also, a new RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system will be implemented to more fully automate the check in/check out system. RFID will speed up and make for greater accuracy in all processes involving the library’s inventory. Both initiatives are designed to better serve library patrons. In addition, the library has a robust Web site offering myriad e-services, including free tutoring for students through www.tutor.com. The library is now on Facebook with its own fan page.

As in prior years, the library plans to stay connected to the needs and desires of its patrons. Smietana states, “We are always doing strategic planning and that involves surveying our patrons. We encourage comment cards and request for purchase cards asking for specific items or books. Library patrons are excited about the expanded benefits and services being offered in 2010.”

ADDBAC board members are gearing up for their Second Saturdays schedule in 2010.

ADDBAC (Arts & Design District Business Association of Carmel) looks forward to strengthening its merchant community in the new year. Started in 2009, Second Saturdays is the brainchild of the association designed to encourage people to come and walk the Carmel Arts & Design District on the second Saturday of each month. During this event there are entertainment activities and special discounts that are offered by Carmel businesses.

“We have about 45 businesses in the association within the arches,” says co-founders Bernie Szuhaj and Jill Zaniker. The duo explains that ADDBAC, in addition to supporting the growth and development of all businesses in the Arts & Design District, is active in philanthropy.

In 2010, plans are on the table to start a scholarship fund available to any Carmel resident high school senior that is going to study the arts.

ADDBAC plans to build partnerships with new sponsors in 2010, along with continuing to define ways to give back to the community and increase member benefits. 2010 will be a pivotal year for these and many more Carmel organizations. Can you feel the excitement in the air?

The West Side Story lyrics aptly fit Carmel in 2010: “The air is humming, and something great is coming! Who knows?”