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
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Village 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 Village of Kent City, Fife Lake DDA, Lewiston DDA, Brooklyn DDA,...
In MI Downtown Podcast
Healing Community After Tragedy With A Trolley In late 2021, a local tragedy had unintended side effects - empty spirits and empty sidewalks...
Read MoreReading 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 MoreMDA 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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