Despite the tough economy, Lemont has seen no lack of people wanting to open up shop in the village.

“Lemont is a great place to put businesses,” Mayor Brian Reaves said June 30 during the annual State of the Village address at Ruffled Feathers Golf Club. “It’s a great community.”

Since the year began, the village has given out more than 20 new business licenses. In the past year, new business openings have included Aldi, Wine Emporium and This Must be the Place.

But despite the openings, Reaves said sales tax revenues are still down for the village. He would like to do a marketing study between the existing Lemont businesses.

“Let’s find out where we can spend our money to get the biggest bang for our buck,” he said.

He also suggested using the space on Main Street that previously housed the Lemont Police Department as an “incubator space” for new businesses.

“When they come to Lemont, we can put them in there at a reduced rate, work with the chamber and get them going,” Reaves said. “As they prosper, they can move into another space.”

He said Lemont Area Chamber of Commerce officials also could use the space to work closely with the Lemont Economic Development Department next door.

Reaves said increased foot traffic is needed, especially in the downtown.

“We need to make Lemont a jewel, where people know they can come to Lemont to play golf, shop and come to our bike paths,” Reaves said.

Village officials plan to embark on a campaign called the 3/50 Project. Through the program, residents pick three businesses they would miss if these shops went under. Then, the residents commit to spending $50 across these three businesses per month.

“We want to make sure we’ve got people in town spending money,” Reaves said.

He said the village’s comprehensive plan also needs some updating; it was last revised in 2002.

“We have parcels on 127th Street and Route 83 and in the downtown that we need to develop exactly what kind of uses we want to see on these spots,” he said.

But Reaves also stressed that it is also important to focus on more than just downtown Lemont.

“We recognize that the downtown makes Lemont unique, but it has to be a community effort from now on,” he said.

Village Trustee Paul Chialdikas agreed.

“We have to look at the entire village,” he said. “We’ve neglected to think about the rest of the town. So far there hasn’t been any harm, but if we don’t refocus it could.”

Chialdikas also is anxious to get more foot traffic in the village.

“We could always use more,” he said.