Knoepfler Chevrolet Gets Involved in Downtown Sioux City

Ben Knoepfler, General Manager at Knoepfler Chevrolet returned to Sioux City from Minneapolis to take over for his father Charlie nine years ago. Upon his return, Ben knew he wanted to get involved in the Sioux City community.

As Ben currently works through the process of taking over the dealership for his father per GM standards, he is also active with Downtown Partners. This organization is an advocate group for downtown Sioux City that is charged with economic development, community living and growth of the downtown area.

The boundary line for downtown runs east and west from Wesley Pkwy to Floyd Blvd and north and south from 8^th St. to the riverfront. Downtown Partners operating budget is collected from the businesses that sit within the boundary line through a percent of property tax.

Because Knoepfler Chevrolet is one of the multiple businesses in the downtown boundary they have the option to be active with Downtown Partners. From a pure business standpoint Ben Knoepfler is active with Downtown Partners in order to increase traffic downtown, give downtown more exposure, and by keeping people in the downtown area businesses have more immediate customers. This organization strengthens Sioux City as a whole and provides a strong and vibrant community for its residents.

Currently Downtown Partners is working on gathering data for vacancies within the boundary and on what vacancies can be developed. The organization is talking with residents downtown, improving signage, and creating a more global environment. In order to ensure downtown is seen as a part of the Sioux City community overall, Downtown Partners also reaches out to other organizations in the area.

For Ben, Downtown Partners provides an avenue for contacts regarding city business. It provides him connections with city council and allows him the opportunity to get to know the businesses that surround Knoepfler Chevrolet. He enjoys seeing the quality of life improve downtown. Ben said, “It’s really neat to have a voice in what is going on around you and Downtown Partners has been that voice for me.” He looks at this opportunity as “nibbles of work”. Ben believes it takes a nibble here and a nibble there in order to create the “big bite.”

Overall, working with Downtown Partners makes business easier for Knoepfler Chevrolet and being a part of the solutions is a gratifying experience.

Visit http://downtownsiouxcity.com/ for more information.