City of Escanaba receives 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 Escanaba has received Redevelopment Ready Communities® (RRC) certification, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today.

The MEDC held a formal presentation today at the Escanaba City Hall Atrium to recognize the city’s new designation. 

Escanaba is the first city in the Upper Peninsula to engage in the RRC program and the first in the U.P. to be certified. Escanaba joins 10 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 investors. Other RRC include Allegan, Boyne City, Eastpointe, Lathrup Village, Manistee, Marshall, Muskegon, Roseville, Southfield and Ypsilanti.

“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 Chief Executive Officer Steve Arwood. “We’re pleased to have our first Upper Peninsula city taking part in the RRC program, and we look forward to working collaboratively with Escanaba to create a vibrant community where business and talent want to be, and where a strong sense of community flourishes.”

As a RRC participant, the city of Escanaba receives 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. 

“By participating in the MEDC RRC Program, the city of Escanaba has been able to take advantage of having all of our land development tools and practices independently reviewed by land use and economic development experts from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation,” said Escanaba City Manager James V. O'Toole. “With this review we were able to identify potential roadblocks to development and take the necessary steps needed to improve and retool our land development processes. As a result the changes that have been made and implemented under the guidelines and best practices of the RRC Program, the city of Escanaba is now well positioned to meet the needs and expectations of the community in a much more efficient and effective manner.”

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.