The City of East Grand Rapids has earned Redevelopment Ready Communities Essentials® certification from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for building a strong planning and economic development foundation to attract new investors, businesses and residents and create a vibrant community.
The Redevelopment Ready Communities Essentials certification, recently announced by the MEDC, recognizes the City’s efforts in actively engaging community members and other stakeholders and demonstrating transparency, predictability and efficiency in its economic development practices. East Grand Rapids is one of only 14 communities statewide to earn the Redevelopment Ready Communities Essentials certification, which recognizes a community has a vision for the future and is equipped with the critical zoning and development practices to get there.
“The City of East Grand Rapids is proud to be a Redevelopment Ready Community,” Mayor Katie Favale said. “This designation demonstrates our economic vibrancy and competitiveness as well as our commitment to implementing best practices and ensuring our development efforts are transparent, equitable and consistent. We thank the MEDC for its support in guiding us during this process.”
To receive Redevelopment Ready Communities Essentials certification, a community must meet MEDC’s best practices criteria, which are:
- Planning and engagement
- Zoning
- Development review
- Boards and commissions
The City’s public participation plan and formalized training for city and planning commissioners were highlighted in its RRC essentials designation. The plan outlines community engagement efforts such as surveys, demonstration pilots, information stations and open houses – all designed to provide opportunities for community feedback and inform City decisions on development projects such as the Mobility-Bike Action Plan, dog park and proposed construction projects. The training program enables city and planning commissioners to be informed on updated zoning, master planning and downtown development practices.
“Earning Redevelopment Ready Communities Essentials certification highlights our commitment to attracting and retaining businesses and streamlining the development process,” East Grand Rapids City Manager Shea Charles said. “This certification not only benefits our local economy but also enhances the quality of life for our residents, making East Grand Rapids an excellent place to live, work and play.”
For more information about the Redevelopment Ready Communities program, visit miplace.org/programs/redevelopment-ready-communities.