By NATE HEFFRON

City manager

City of Negaunee

Special to the Journal

NEGAUNEE — Building a strong foundation and having an agreed-upon direction that your community agrees to are critical when trying to jumpstart your local economy.

Our first-ever economic blueprint introduced in 2019 provided such foundation and direction. Prior to this, the Negaunee’s economic future looked grim and stagnate. For proof, one only had to look at lack of investment from both the city and downtown and some building owners, ultimately leading to the collapse of buildings.

We called that initial economic strategy ‘Moving Forward.’ It was adopted in 2019 and lasted 5-years by design. Since it was set to expire, its replacement is welcome news. The new Negaunee Economic Development Advisory Team was able to review the last plan and determine what worked, what didn’t, what still needs to be completed, what needs to continue and what is missing within our strategic vision.

This planning document, named ‘Forge Your Adventure,’ is designed to guide our community as we take an active role in economic development. This well-thought-out plan builds from the success of ‘Moving Forward’ and helps open new areas of concentration for the local and regional economy of Negaunee.

I want to say a big thank you to this team and to the staff at the Lake Superior Community Partnership. Without the hard work and dedication from everyone involved, this task may have not been completed. Additionally, the city owes part of its successes to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Accomplishments under the economic strategy “Moving Forward”, includes:

≤ Continuing the city’s relationship with Lake Superior Community Partnership for economic development and business retention services;

≤ Implementing a Downtown Plan and streetscape project to preserve Negaunee’s history, enhance character, and spawn new economic development opportunities;

Becoming a Michigan Redevelopment Ready Community showing that Negaunee is ready for business and has taken the necessary steps to streamline what is necessary for development;

≤ Establishing a historic district to take advantage of tax credits available through federal programs and preserve Negaunee’s history and character, and;

≤ Reactivating the Downtown Development Authority to revitalize development sites and establish a Tax Increment Finance District.

Under ‘Forge Your Adventure,’ several generalized strategies are included, these strategies are:

≤ Facilitating Industrial Development;

≤ Enhancing Neighborhood and Housing Choices;

≤ Supporting Existing Businesses;

≤ Investing in City Infrastructure;

≤ Developing the U.S. 41 Corridor, and;

≤ Capturing Outdoor Recreation Opportunities.

Whether you simply want to visit Negaunee as a tourist, start a new business, or find your forever-home, Negaunee is the place where you can Forge Your Adventure! We hope to see you soon and can’t wait to see where those adventures take you.