Downtown is a densely settled commercial core of a community that serves as its social and economic center.
Photo Credit: Downtown Muskegon, MI
Downtown acts as a key defining feature of a community's overall sense of place.
Photo Credit: Downtown Frankenmuth, MI
Downtown is multi-functional with places to shop, work, dine, live, worship, and enjoy a variety of cultural offerings.
Photo Credit: Downtown Farmington
Calls To Action
Strengthening Downtowns
Headlines
New Podcast Highlighting Our Annual Conference in Muskegon!
New In MI Downtown podcast available! This November 3 and 4, the Michigan Downtown Association will host its annual conference on the sandy...
Read MoreLatest Podcast now Live
Recreational marijuana dispensaries have sprouted up all over the State of Michigan since being legalized in 2018. Yet, many communities...
Read MoreVillage of Franklin
The Village of Franklin has posted a job description for Economic Developer.
Read MoreWelcome New Members
The MDA would like to welcome our newest members to the organization- The City of Ecorse. Welcome!
Upcoming Events
MDA Blog
Reading Downtown Master Plan: High Time for Change
A major challenge to urban planning and economic development is timing. Is a steady stream of patrons and access to new pots of money enough...
Read MoreA New Chapter For A Detroit Business
A small business microloan helped Ne’Gyle, the owner of Bleu Bowtique in Downtown Detroit, start a new chapter for his men’s...
Read MoreMaking Great Places, East Jordan Downtown
Master Planning at a Crossroads At the time of writing its Master Plan, East Jordan was at a crossroads. Redevelopment opportunities were...
Read MoreChanging Winter Attitudes
With social distancing guidelines and COVID-19 mitigation measures still in effect going into the winter of 2021, the cold weather continues...
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