Negaunee City Manager Nate Heffron, left, stands with Michigan Economic Development Corporation senior community planner Pablo Majano at Negaunee’s Redevelopment Ready Communities certification award ceremony on Monday at the Upper Peninsula Brewing Company in Negaunee. (Courtesy photo)

NEGAUNEE — The city of Negaunee has been formally recognized by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation as a certified redevelopment ready community.

MEDC awarded Negaunee with the RRC certification for the city’s efforts in “establishing a solid foundation to attract private investment and further build on municipality assets.”

“Our mission at MEDC is to support Michigan’s strong economic momentum and empower communities to establish a strong planning, zoning and economic development foundation,” MEDC executive vice president of Economic Development Incentives and Services Michele Wildman said in an MEDC press release. “The city of Negaunee is well positioned to continue to implement its vision for the future and further improve the quality of life for its residents. We look forward to building upon our relationship with the city and supporting local economic development efforts.”

Negaunee joins a group of 69 Michigan communities that have qualified as “thoroughly prepared” when it comes to planning and zoning to remove traditional barriers and promote opportunities for prospective investors, according to the press release.

Negaunee received a comprehensive assessment that measured current community and economic development practices compared to RRC best practice standards. According to the MEDC press release, “Certification status is a compelling indicator that a community has removed development barriers and streamlined processes to be more competitive and attractive to investors.”

“RRC brings together best practices that will lead to economic development all under one program, all by community choice,” Negaunee City Manager Nate Heffron said in the press release. “Negaunee chose the RRC path as an investment in our community; we are now ready to forge our future thanks to the MEDC.”

With Negaunee’s newest certification, the city will have access to new tools to implement its community development goals, as well as ongoing support and technical assistance from the RRC team. The certification will be active for five years before needing to be renewed.

“Negaunee is extremely grateful for the opportunity to participate in the RRC program,” Negaunee Mayor Dave Kangas said in the press release. “Our journey has been long, but well worth it.”

For more information on MEDC and the RRC certification, visit miplace.org/#rrc.