Moo Discount Coupon Codes

As business owners across Pima County deal with the stress of road-construction projects, the Regional Transportation Authority has a team of consultants ready to help them through the trying times.

The program, dubbed MainStreet, is paid for with $10 million in RTA funds spread over two decades. When voters passed the $2.1 billion, 20-year plan in 2006, that money was included for businesses next to the road-improvement projects.

Many business owners praised the assistance the consultants provide, but others said they don't really need the consulting service and might prefer direct financial help.

"What we'd be more interested in would be something with some cash value," said Dan Winter, co-manager of Mama's Kitchen in Green Valley, a restaurant near construction at Interstate 19 and West Continental Road.

Construction projects generally reduce a business's cash flow about 20 to 25 percent, sometimes more, said Britton Dornquast, who runs the MainStreet program for the RTA.

"A business that's on the hairy edge, that's enough to push them over," he said.

As far as paying businesses directly, Dornquast said the money would get stretched too thin with that approach.

Dornquast himself was a business owner who felt the sting of construction. He ran Hear's Music, 2508 N. Campbell Ave., and had to deal directly with the street getting torn up near his front doorstep.

He now coordinates the consultants as they help businesses until the road work is done.

Proactive approach

In the months leading up to the project, an ombudsman contacts business owners in areas that will be affected by the construction, Dornquast said.

As it gets closer to the construction date, those business owners can work with consultants and receive a detailed assessment of their company.

If the business owners want further aid, the consultants -- who have a variety of backgrounds from owning restaurants to running retail companies -- can help them develop a business plan, establish a marketing strategy and assist them with operations such as bookkeeping.

Companies forced to relocate because of construction -- those directly in the construction zone and others within a quarter mile of the primary area -- are eligible for the program.

Currently, MainStreet has seven consultants on contracts, which are generally renewed every three or six months, Dornquast said. They are paid between $30 and $70 per hour and work 10 to 20 hours a week depending on the work they provide.

Dornquast, MainStreet's only salaried employee, makes about $72,000 per year.

Ace Chicago, who owns Marana Feed & Supply with his wife, T.C., said MainStreet consultants worked with them to establish a brand identity they're now using on business cards, letterhead and T-shirts.

Susan Allen, a MainStreet consultant who specializes in marketing, also helped them organize a grand reopening. The Chicagos had taken over the feed-and-supply store in September 2008 and were working to let customers know it was under new ownership, Ace Chicago said.

Marana Feed & Supply, at 9643 N. Casa Grande Highway, near Interstate 10 and Avra Valley Road, lies right in the path of the Twin Peaks interchange going up over I-10.

In addition to helping with their marketing, Allen acted as a liaison for the Chicagos when they had concerns about the project. She was able to intervene when workers were laying pipe in front of the feed store and might have blocked off access, Chicago said. Instead, workers divided up the work so customers were able to get in and out, he said.

"She really did a lot for us," Chicago said. "And not having to pay for anything, it was pretty amazing."

Chicago said he recommended any business that's eligible for the assistance to take advantage of it.

Not all are impressed

But Winter, of Mama's Kitchen at 180 W. Continental Road, said that after attending a few meetings he and his father opted not to participate in the consulting.

While Winter said he understands the consulting might have benefits for some businesses, he and his family couldn't really see what it would do for their family-owned restaurant, which already has a solid customer base.

Allen, the marketing consultant, said even though the RTA doesn't provide direct financial help to companies, the process can benefit businesses during and after the construction.

"What we as consultants try to do is give the businesses the tools not only to survive the construction in terms of sales and customers, but to emerge from the construction a stronger business," Allen said.

She said it's generally smaller businesses that rely on the program. Larger corporations and franchises usually already have networks in place that help them develop business plans and marketing strategies, she said.

Still, Allen said, most businesses benefit from having a liaison who works to keep them informed on the status of construction projects.

"a little easier to swallow"

Other business owners had concerns about using taxpayer dollars to pay consultants.

David Polsky, owner of Dave Polsky Parts Plus Tire and Auto Centers in Green Valley, said he disagreed with using the money to basically pay for marketing.

"I already have an advertising agency that does exactly the same thing," he said. He'd prefer the money just get divided up and given directly to the businesses, he said.

The consultants collect a paycheck from the county while his business has suffered severely from the road construction projects, he said. At this point, getting 35 hours of consulting won't do much, he said.

"I think it's a complete waste of money," he said. "It's done nothing for me."

But there are other business owners who are skeptical of how a direct payout could be distributed fairly, and say MainStreet benefited their companies.

Patricia Mooney, the owner of DesignLines Interior Design, said the 40 hours of consulting time her business received was valuable in establishing a marketing strategy. MainStreet also helped with a detailed assessment of business operations and helped the company reinvent its identity, she said.