City of Manistee achieves certification as Redevelopment Ready Community

Designation facilitates private investment, improves economic development opportunities

LANSING, Mich. – For establishing a solid foundation to attract private investment and further build on municipality assets, the city of Manistee has been awarded Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) certification, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today.

The MEDC will hold a formal presentation 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20 at the Vogue Theatre Manistee to recognize the city of Manistee’s new designation. Vogue Theatre Manistee is located at 383 River Street, Manistee.

The northwest Michigan city joins nine other Michigan communities that have qualified as thoroughly prepared when it comes to planning and zoning along with other key features that remove traditional barriers and promote opportunities for prospective private investors. Other certified RRC’s include Allegan, Boyne City, Eastpointe, Lathrup Village, Roseville, Ypsilanti, Muskegon, Marshall and Southfield.

“Our mission at MEDC is to empower communities so they can proactively shape their future, a future built on a solid foundation of retaining and attracting business investment and talent,” said MEDC Senior Vice President Katharine Czarnecki.

“We look forward to working collaboratively with city of Manistee officials to create a vibrant community where businesses thrive and those employed find opportunities and a sense of place, and where a strong sense of community flourishes,” she said.

As a RRC participant, the city of Manistee received a comprehensive assessment that measures current community and economic development practices compared to RRC best practice standards. Further, the program evaluates and certifies communities that integrate transparency, predictability and efficiency into economic development practices. Certification status provides a compelling sign that a community has removed development barriers and streamlined processes to be more competitive and attractive to investors.

“The evaluation for certification in the RRC program showed that the city of Manistee has good practices and policies in place,” said Denise Blakeslee, planning and zoning administrator. “By participating in the certification process and implementing additional strategies our service levels have been elevated to achieve the best practices for development.”

The certification sends a strong, positive message to developers, said Manistee City Manager Thad Taylor.

“With the City of Manistee receiving its RRC certification, we are sending a strong message to developers that we welcome their business, that we have laid the groundwork for a good process, and that our community is fully supportive and will work with them to achieve success” he said. “The certification lays the groundwork for developers to know that we offer and are a progressive community with an interest in providing new opportunities.”

On behalf of the Michigan Strategic Fund, the MEDC administers programs and performs due diligence on business and community development programs. The MEDC is the state’s chief marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy.

In addition, MEDC manages the Pure Michigan brand, which represents business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. 

For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit MichiganBusiness.org. For Michigan travel news, updates and information, visit michigan.org. Michigan residents interested in seeking employment with any of Michigan’s growing companies should check mitalent.org, where more than 100,000 jobs are currently listed.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.