Downtown Negaunee is pictured. (Journal file photo)

NEGAUNEE — Negaunee has been through many changes over the past several years, many of those changes have been attributed to the economic development strategic plan, Moving Forward. This plan was designed with an expiration date of five years.

Not all of the eleven objectives have been met, but many have. Probably the most single, important goal, was met, becoming a Redevelopment Ready Certified Community.

Now that Negaunee has this forward momentum, it’s time to continue our progress with Forge Your Adventure!

Forge Your Adventure, will become Negaunee’s next economic development strategic plan. The plan will be developed over the next few months through a technical assistance grant provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

This plan not only assists Negaunee in remaining a RRC certified community, but will be our pathway for the next five years in steering and developing our economy.

To create this new plan a team has been assembled through a committee procedure. The team will consist of twelve members, including myself.

Lake Superior Community Partnership has been contracted to assist with this process and will develop the finalized plan for council review.

The new plan will include some of the previous goals found in Moving Forward, building on the bedrock those goals have established, while establishing new goals for the next five years.

Public feedback will be critical in developing this new plan. The public will have several opportunities to engage during this process as established under our public participation plan.

Negaunee is ripe for development, from housing to commercial, new businesses and business expansion, to development of our greatest natural resources, outdoor recreation. Negaunee is the place to Forge Your Adventure!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Nate Heffron is city manager of the city of Negaunee.