Battle Creek Unlimited Optimistic On Downtown, CEO Says
Downtown Battle Creek may be losing two businesses very soon, but the head of Battle Creek Unlimited is still optimistic. BCU CEO Joe Sobieralski tells the 95.3 WBCK morning show that they have received “a couple of [submissions]” for opening a brewery in downtown Battle Creek.
In December, BCU announced that they would be offering up to $200,000 in assistance to a company looking to open a brewery, brewpub or distillery at three downtown Battle Creek locations. Those three properties at 15 Carlyle St, 119/121 W. Michigan Ave, and 64 W. Michigan Ave, are all owned by Battle Creek Unlimited.
Applications for that assistance are due by March 2.
Sobieralski says “our intentions are really to turn that around” to get a business opening soon, and get those buildings into use. He says that there has been a lot of interest from various businesses regarding the former JCPenney building at the corner of Michigan and McCamly in particular.
Next month, Hall of Toys and Battle Creek Books will be moving out of downtown. Battle Creek Books is headed to Marshall to reopen as the Mitten Word Bookshop, while the Battle Creek Enquirer says that the Hall of Toys is seeking a larger space for events.
Among the topics discussed by Joe Sobieralski and Tim Collins include the potential for a missile defense base to come to the Battle Creek area, and further economic growth at the Fort Custer Industrial Park.
Click the player below to see the full interview.