We all saw the huge competition when Foxconn dangled the carrot of a new $10-billion factory to be built somewhere in mid-America, later won by the state of Wisconsin. We all watched in awe (or dismay, in some cases) as major cities from coast-to-coast battled for the attention of Amazon for a major new facility with the jury still out on that one. The sweepstakes are getting increasingly competitive for projects of virtually any size anymore as the promise of jobs and tax revenue dance like sugar plums in a mid-Winter’s dream. That’s why Cornerstone Alliance has been working with local municipalities willing to join the ranks of Redevelopment Ready Communities.
Today, Cornerstone reveals that six Berrien County municipalities have made the first steps in joining other Michigan communities participating in the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) initiative. The multi-stage RRC program is voluntary and encourages communities to adopt and implement redevelopment strategies through a set of best practices.
The RRC certification is a formal recognition that a community has a vision for the future and the fundamental practices are in place to achieve those goals. RRC communities have effective development practices in place, efficient processes and broad community support.
Cornerstone says that to date, the following Berrien County communities are in the engagement process: the cities of Benton Harbor, Niles, St. Joseph and Watervliet, and the villages of Baroda and Stevensville.
The engagement process requires communities to undergo a rigorous assessment and then work to achieve a set of criteria laid out in the RRC best practices. There are six best practices and each one addresses key elements of community and economic development and sets the standard to attain certification:
- Community Plans and Public Outreach
- Zoning Regulations
- Development Review Process
- Recruitment and Education
- Redevelopment Ready Sites
- Community Prosperity
Greg Vaughn is Cornerstone’s Chief Operating Office and Vice President of Business Development. He acknowledges, “We are in a very competitive economy, and developers and businesses can invest anywhere.” Vaughn notes, “These Berrien County communities are committing to eventually become a Certified Redevelopment Ready Community, a significant component in successful economic development.”
Stacey Stephens, Senior Director of Entrepreneurship and Special Projects for Cornerstone Alliance says,” While we understand communities will have their unique approach and challenges with the best practices, Cornerstone Alliance will provide whatever resources we can to aid in the process.”
Communities following a best practice protocol have a consistent and sustainable development process. RRC certified cities and villages have a community-supported vision and attract investments that create places where people want to live, work and play.
Benton Harbor City Manager Darwin Watson says, “The timing of working through the RRC Best Practices evaluation process works well with the city’s efforts to update its Master Plan and supporting documentation as we look to the future.”
Cornerstone Alliance is Berrien County’s lead economic development agency primarily focused on increasing employment opportunities, private sector capital investments and the local tax base in Michigan’s Great Southwest; with specialized business services offered in economically distressed areas.
