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City of Grant
Downtown Development Authority
The Downtown Development Authority was created in the fall of 2007. The Grant City Commission then appointed the DDA Governing Board, who has since approved their bylaws and Development and Finance Plans. The Grant City Commission has already approved the Development & Finance Plans by Ordinance, and the Newaygo County Board of Commissioners also gave their seal of approval on December 10, 2008. Anyone interested in reviewing this information may stop by the City of Grant offices, or the Grant Area District Library. The next meeting of the Downtown Development Authority is scheduled for August 4, 2009.
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Downtown Development Authority Governing Board:
Kelly Pangburn Term Ending January, 2013
Harold Portell Term Ending January, 2013
Christine Sorden Term Ending January, 2014
Lori Gardner Term Ending January, 2014
Jon Swinehart Term Ending January, 2015
Dan Wheat Term Ending January, 2015
Dr. Dennis Nelson Term Ending January, 2012
Suzanne VanWieren Term Ending January, 2012
Advisors:
Doug La Fave, City Manager
Sherry Powell, Assistant City Manager/Clerk
The DDA Governing Board meets the first Tuesday of each month as needed. They are held at 5:00pm in the City of Grant Public Meeting Room. The next meeting will be held in August 2009.
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The Downtown Development Authority
The DDA Ordinance 52 was finalized at the November 19, 2007 City Commission meeting.
The Grant City Commission passed the Resolution of Intent to create a DDA at the May 21st meeting, then held the public hearing to receive public comment on the establishment of a DDA and the proposed boundary district at a special meeting on June 18, 2007. Many business representatives and even a few residential property owners showed up to ask some great questions. After the public hearing was adjourned, the City Commission was quite pleased with the turnout as well as the comments made and decided to move forward with adopting the DDA Establishment Ordinance. One of the taxing jurisdictions indicated a need to 'opt out' because of their financial circumstances, which they certainly have the right to do. It is difficult to explain to all of the other taxing jurisdictions that are willing to 'give up' a tiny percentage of tax capture for their millages why another unit is unwilling to do the same. The purpose of a DDA is to prevent deterioration and promote economic growth within a business district by developing, adopting, and implementing plans for new and re-development. The theory is that when an economic development tool like a DDA is implemented, it will help to jumpstart our local slumping economy. Potential business investors will be enticed to bring a new business to the Grant area, and not just within the City limits. Also, DDA's tend to attract investors to build new residential homes within the area, which would significantly increase the taxable value to every taxing jurisdiction. When they are willing to give up a little bit up front, the investment pays off significantly down the road within a few years.
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