Nearly four years ago in March of 2017, the City of South Haven passed a resolution committing to participate in Michigan’s Redevelopment Ready Community program and last week they accomplished the work necessary to achieve certification status in that realm.
The Redevelopment Ready Community program, or simply RRC, was developed by public and private sector experts in coordination with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The program allows communities like South Haven to partner with the MEDC in building a community that is ready to attract talent and business investment. The RRC focus is to streamline the development approval process by integrating transparency, predictability, and efficiency into the daily development practices of Michigan communities. RRC empowers communities to shape their future by assisting in the creation of a solid planning, zoning, and development foundation to retain and attract businesses, investment, and talent.
When the South Haven City Council passed that resolution in March of 2017, city staff began work on completion of a Best Practices training series, followed by a thorough self-evaluation of current practices. The City received a baseline report of findings which highlighted successes and outlined recommended actions for implementation of missing best practice criteria. Expectations were listed with each evaluation criteria and staff proceeded to demonstrate how expectations were being achieved and to complete the missing best practice criteria.
A few of the components included:
- Plans (Master Plan, Downtown Plan, Corridor Plan, Capital Improvement Plan)
- Public participation strategies
- Zoning regulations
- Development review policy and procedures
- Guide to development
- Recruitment/orientation
- Education/training
- Economic development strategies
- Marketing/promotion
To be awarded certification, a community must meet all RRC best practice criteria.
Mayor Scott Smith says, “This has been a nearly four-year process but well worth it,” adding, “The City of South Haven’s RRC certification signals to business owners, developers and investors that we are efficient and knowledgeable in our daily practices of economic development.”
Now that the City is certified, the MEDC will assist in the promotion and marketing of up to three Redevelopment Ready Sites in the South Haven community.
