MEDC says Battle Creek, Kalamazoo ready for redevelopment evaluation

Battle Creek and Kalamazoo are two of 17 communities statewide chosen to participate in program that assesses economic development practices.

Planning and development policies will be evaluated as part of a program offered by the Michigan Economic Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) There is no cost to the community to participate.

The program is intended to give each community a "sound foundation for redevelopment and investment to occur," says the MEDC. This involves planning for new investment, identifying assets and opportunities and focusing resources.

Participants receive detailed information on evaluation criteria and examples of steps to take to accomplish certification requirements.

The program, Redevelopment Ready Communities, offers an assessment of a community's policies by an outside source. Community and economic development practices are compared to best practice standards.

The program measures and then certifies communities if their programs are transparent, predictable and efficient. The RRC certification is a formal recognition that a community has a vision for the future and the fundamental practices in place to get there.

This was the second competitive application round since the MEDC launched the program. More than 65 communities requested access to the 2014 competitive application.

"It’s an important resource that helps communities review their practices to foster vibrant places where businesses and talent want to be," says said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. "Without strong communities, we can’t attract talent."

Source: Michigan Economic Development Corp.

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MEDC says Battle Creek, Kalamazoo ready for redevelopment evaluation

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