ELMHURST CITY CENTRE MERCHANTS AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
Technical and Organizational Assistance to Establish a Special Service Area (SSA)

S. B. Friedman & Company provided technical and organizational assistance to the Elmhurst City Centre (Downtown) Merchants and Business Association to form a Special Service Area (SSA).

Initial meetings with the client identified the primary needs and services that local merchants and businesses expected under an SSA. Other Illinois communities were surveyed to identify the nature and types of services provided in other SSAs, the tax rate, and other key issues.

This information was then incorporated into a concept plan that included: a recommended services plan, an initial start-up and operating budget, and an assessment of the anticipated annual cost of the SSA for local merchants. To gain support for the SSA, focus group and public meetings were held with community and business leaders, elected officials, and local residents.