I would like to express my wholehearted support of the changes coming to The Outlet Collection, formerly known as the Supermall.

The owner, Glimcher Realty Trust is investing $35 million dollars in updating and renovating the property over the next 18 months. This is a huge investment that will bring many new long-term employment opportunities to the Auburn area.

The fact that Glimcher is making such a large investment shows their faith and commitment to the Auburn area community and also shows that they recognize that their market reaches far beyond the borders of the cities of Auburn, Algona and Pacific. A quality retail mall draws shoppers from up to 100 miles away.

The plans that Glimcher has shared indicates that they will be bringing in the types of high quality stores that consumers have been asking for. A vibrant retail mall will draw in shoppers that will stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, visit our entertainment venues and most importantly leave their money here. The increased business will mean more local jobs and desperately needed sales tax revenue for our cities. The increase in revenues to our cities will enable them to continue making vital investments to improve and maintain the cities we call home.

The downtown core of Auburn is seeing a lot of interest from developers who are also ready to invest their money here. Recent improvements in the infrastructure below the streets in the downtown cannot be seen but developers are now eager to build here because of that investment. High-quality companies that will provide good paying jobs are checking out Auburn. The greater Auburn area is poised for growth and prosperity and that is a welcome change.

– Michele Oosterink, chairman, Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce; Nancy Wyatt, president and COO, Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce