By K.D. Norris
The City of Kentwood has received the Redevelopment Ready Community certification from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for its “commitment to attracting new investors, businesses and residents through targeted and strategic planning and creating a vibrant community in partnership with residents,” according to a city statement.
The designation, recently announced by the MEDC and announced by the city June 29, recognizes the city’s efforts to establish a “solid planning and economic development foundation” to attract private investment and facilitate community-driven economic development projects in the community.
Certification also means Kentwood will receive support from the MEDC’s Redevelopment Services Team, which will partner with the City to evaluate development sites and produce customized marketing that will promote investment in key areas.
These key areas will include those identified in Kentwood’s 2020 master plan in need of redevelopment, such as Division Avenue, Eastern and 52nd Street, Kalamazoo Avenue corridor, and 28th Street and 29th Street commercial corridor.
“We look forward to working with the MEDC to carry out the master plan’s community-driven vision for growth, land use, development and open space conservation in Kentwood,” Terry Schweitzer, city community development director, said in supplied material. “As a Redevelopment Ready Community, we can leverage critical tools and resources as we continue to work to attract and support investment and businesses and engage community members along the way.”
Kentwood’s certification qualifies it for state community development incentives that encourage developers to invest in the city, according to supplied material. This includes small business programs such as Match on Main that provides reimbursable grant funds for new or expanding place-based businesses.
The certification also means Kentwood is “thoroughly prepared” when it comes to removing traditional planning and zoning traditional barriers and transitioning into a streamlined process to promote opportunities for prospective investors, according to the statement.
During the RRC assessment process, the City received a baseline evaluation of the existing planning and economic development processes compared to RRC “best practices.” These best practices including community plans and engagement, zoning, development review, boards and commissions, and economic development and marketing.
“We are proud to have aligned our policies and processes with Redevelopment Ready Community best practices and to have completed the program’s rigorous assessment,” City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material.
For more information about the City’s Redevelopment Ready Community certification visit kentwood.us/RedevelopmentReady.
