In MI Downtown Michigan Downtown Association

Prompted in part by the 2020 pandemic, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation identified a need to assist Michigan communities for planning for the unexpected so that they might recover in an organized and expedient manner. Through its Redevelopment Ready Communities Program, the Resiliency Toolkit was created to formalize current recovery efforts into plans, policies, and partnerships. Learn the highlights from the MEDC's Pablo Majano and Leigh Young, and Catherine Clark from the SmithGroup.

Downtowns are great places for people to live. Even its local workforce. But market demands and past development trends have effected this important demographic. Efforts to address workforce housing can include work by non-profit organizations called Community Land Trusts. This podcast is a Q&A between MDA Executive Director Dana Walker and Annette Knowles (who is usually our host) about affordable and attainable housing and how CLTs and DDAs can work together. Annette serves as the Executive Director of the Frankfort Area Community Land Trust in northwest Michigan.

Downtown Directors are the dedicated professionals who keep the hearts of our Michigan communities beating. And, we'd like to get to know them better. In this episode of In MI Downtown - The Pulse, Amy Allen, Executive Director of the Lyon Township DDA, explains how her background in Parks and Recreation prepared her for a career change to downtown revitalization. And, we learn more about her love of hiking as a way to decompress from the job!

Get ready for the MDA's Summer Workshop in Harbor Springs on Friday, May 31. Find out all you need to know before you attend! And, arrive early for the warm-up activities on May 30. Learn from MDA Executive Director why this workshop will be stellar!

Downtown Directors are the dedicated professionals who keep the hearts of our Michigan communities beating. And, we'd like to get to know them better. In this episode of In MI Downtown - The Pulse, James Alt, ED of the Lapeer DDA, shares how his journey to downtown revitalization work happened by magic! That, and a background in art and marketing.

Downtown Directors are the dedicated professionals who keep the hearts of our Michigan communities beating. And, we'd like to get to know them better. In this episode of In MI Downtown - The Pulse, we get to know Christine Malzahn from the DDA in Imlay City, in Michigan's Thumb. With topics ranging from entrepreneurship to the Detroit Lions, this episode is one not-to-be-missed!

Please note that the typical audio formatting for In MI Downtown has been suspended for this episode. So, no cool tunes this time; the interview with host Dana Walker starts right away!