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, Meridian Township has been awarded Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) certification, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced today.
The MEDC will formally present the award in recognition of the township’s new designation at a community event on Friday, November 16 starting at 3:00pm in the community room at Elevation Okemos, located at 3595 Jolly Oak Rd. in Okemos.
Meridian Township joins 28 other 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 certified RRC communities include Allegan, Alpena, Battle Creek, Bessemer, Boyne City, Dearborn, Eastpointe, Escanaba, Ferndale, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Grayling, Hudsonville, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Lathrup Village, Manistee, Marshall, Middleville, Muskegon, Oak Park, Petoskey, 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 Katharine Czarnecki (Shown Left). “We’re pleased to have the first township in the state reach certification and look forward to working collaboratively with the township and supporting them in their local efforts.”
As an RRC participant, Meridian Township 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. Meridian Township is the first township to receive RRC certification.
“Meridian Township is dedicated to redeveloping its core business districts. It is the board’s highest priority. Becoming the state’s first township to be certified as a redevelopment ready community will be of tremendous assistance in keeping Meridian the prime community that it has been,” said Township said Supervisor Ronald J. Styka (Shown Left). “We cannot be more pleased with receiving this recognition.”
The township moved swiftly to complete certification requirements, completing all the recommend items from the report in five months. Economic Development Director Chris Buck expressed satisfaction with the process and benefits of becoming a certified redevelopment ready community.
“Meridian Township is thrilled to become certified in the Redevelopment Ready Communities program. The process of meeting the best practices gave Meridian Township staff, residents and potential developers the benefit of updated policies and procedures on our website for easier access and smoother process before projects are proposed,” Styka said. “While we will continue to have prime standards for development, being redevelopment ready certified makes navigating the process to develop in Meridian Township a much easier process. Being redevelopment ready certified should drive an even higher level of satisfaction for engagement and support.”
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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, visitwww.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook,Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
