With construction underway on some of Provo and Orem’s busiest streets, the project is reaching out to the business community to help guide local businesses through the construction.
“We want businesses to remain strong during construction,” said Bill Knowles, TRIP business community liaison. “If you own a business near the line, you’re going to want to be here after construction is complete because transit is good for business.”
Knowles, an ombudsman and former small business owner, works with the TRIP to help local businesses successfully navigate the construction process. Under Knowles’ leadership, the project is using a business impact mitigation plan has been successfully used on other transportation construction projects over the past 15 years, most recently during UTA’s Airport TRAX line construction along North Temple.
“We’re launching a business marketing campaign designed to keep people shopping at all the local shops that have been there for them over the years,” Knowles said. “We need the public to repay the favor by being there for local businesses when they need the support the most.”
The shop local campaign is centered on an overarching theme: “Our town. Our shops. Our future.” The campaign’s theme and strategies for helping businesses during construction are chosen by members of Knowles’ community advisory committees. These advisory groups are made up of local business owners and community members.
