Common Council Approves Funds to Help with Jammin' on Janesville

The city has approved spending $18,519 to assist the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce with Jammin' on Janesville activities.

The money will be used to support the event coordinator position at $12,519. The remaining $6,000 will help the Chamber defray marketing and advertising expenses.

The council approved the request 5-1 Tuesday evening, after the Finance Committee unanimously recommended it. Alderman Kert Harenda voted no; Alderman Dan Soltysiak was absent. 

Jammin' on Janesville, a recurring outdoor summer festival or street fair of sorts, was held for the first time in June. It was also held in July and August, all three times on the first Friday of the month.

The event was designed to draw attention to businesses along Janesville Road to help residents remember to frequent them during the upcoming road reconstruction project.

In addition to businesses on Janesville Road, however, many other businesses from elsewhere in the city also participated, often teaming up with other businesses to offer attendees a variety of food and beverages, giveaways, information, and entertainment ranging anywhere from bands to Zumba dancing and a bouncy house for the kids.

The city's many service clubs also played a large role.  

Many calls have been made by business owners, city officials, and residents to hold Jammin' on Janesville next year, with some calling for the possibility of perhaps turning it into a permanent fixture of summer life in the city.

"I think Jammin' on Janesville accomplished its goal. I think it was neat to see such a sense of community, and that is the kind of atmosphere we've got to promote," said Alderman Keith Werner during the Finance Committee meeting, later reiterating his points during the Common Council session.

"We know the businesses are going to struggle. We don't want to bring people out to Muskego just to hand out $2 coupons - we want to have an event. We want to put a face on these businesses who will be struggling," said Tina Weiss, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, during the Finance Committee meeting.

Harenda voted against the request during the Common Council meeting. Though he sees the value of Jammin' on Janesville and thought it was a success, his "no" vote was based on concerns that the money for this request was not formally budgeted as a line item.

The funds for the request will come from either TID Residual Funds or TID #8 funds.

Before voting yes on the request, Alderman Neil Borgman stated that TID funds should really go towards their originally-intended purposes, such as alleviating drainage issues.