City of Oak Park 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 Oak Park has been awarded Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) certification, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today.

The MEDC will formally present the award in recognition of the city’s new designation at a reception on Monday, June 4 at the Randolph Tool Building, 14661 11 Mile Road, Oak Park. Brief remarks and presentation of the award will begin at 3:30. The full event runs from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Oak Park joins 22 other communities that have qualified as “thoroughly prepared” when it comes to planning, zoning along with other key features that remove traditional barriers and promote opportunities for prospective investors. Other certified RRC communities include Allegan, Battle Creek, Boyne City, Dearborn, Eastpointe, Escanaba, Ferndale, Grand Rapids, Hudsonville, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Lathrup Village, Manistee, Marshall, Middleville, Muskegon, Pinckney, Roseville, Southfield, Traverse City 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 Senior Vice President of Community Development Katharine Czarnecki. “We look forward to building upon our relationship with the city and supporting them in their local efforts.” 

As an RRC participant, the city of Oak Park 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.

“Like a handful of other inner ring suburbs, Oak Park is experiencing a revitalization, in part, because of our commitment to planning, pro-active zoning and community engagement,” said Mayor Marian McClellan. “The best practices provided through the Redevelopment Ready Communities program have promoted economic development and renewed interest in our community as a great place for investment, and an exciting place for families to grow.”

The city moved swiftly to complete certification requirements, completing all of the recommend from the report in less than a year. City Manager Erik Turngate commended staff on their work to reach this point.

“Working alongside our partners at the MEDC, I’m proud of the great work our economic development team has done under the leadership of Kimberly Marrone,” Turngate said. “This certification is an asset we plan to utilize to continue the tremendous momentum we’re building in the areas of business attraction and retention throughout the city.”

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.