In this episode, MDA Executive Director Dana Walker asks Charlevoix DDA Executive Director Lindsey Dotson about some amazing projects happening in Downtown Charlevoix and follows up with a preview of the MDA's Summer Workshop to be held on Friday, June 3.  Learn why you won't want to miss a visit to Downtown Charlevoix to kick off your summer!

In late 2021, a local tragedy had unintended side effects - empty spirits and empty sidewalks - in two neighboring downtowns.

Learn how a resourceful group of stakeholders and partners worked together to return a sense of connection to the communities and to return shoppers and diners to Downtowns Oxford and Lake Orion through the implementation of a looped trolley system.  This heart-warming story exemplifies what happens when tenacious team members work together to overcome obstacles to create a now-popular service that has helped to heal hearts and the local economy.

Participants in the podcast with host Annette Knowles are Molly LaLone, Director of the LO DDA, Kelly Westbrook, Director of the Oxford DDA, and Madonna Van Fossen, ombudsman for SMART.

By allocating federal funding to revitalization and placemaking (RAP) projects, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation is striving to uplift and position downtowns for growth following the COVID-19 pandemic.  Learn from Lori Mullins, Managing Director of Community Development Incentives, what are the RAP program highlights and where to find more information.

Inspired by European villages and a college sustainability course, city leaders in Durand, Michigan replaced a portion of its annual flower plantings with edible landscaping.  What grew from that is a remarkable mix of community pride and full tummies!  Learn from key contributors what happened and how edible landscaping is flourishing in Downtown Durand.

Downtown Muskegon's lakeside location comes with the added benefit of excess sand.  Learn from the DDA's Dave Alexander what they've done to capture this resource and convert it into a fun community resource.  And, did you say social district?  See what happens when you mix sand and a watering hole.

The presence of public art can really make a downtown shine!  Learn from Anne Gentry, Executive Director of the Alpena DDA, how its public art initiative called Fresh Waves has deepened Alpena's connection to its important waterfront location.  And, find out how its approach is yielding results that will have a lasting impact on walkability and creative placemaking.

Starting on Friday, May 21, 2021, and through the night, a devastating fire tore through a block of Downtown Calumet, leaving in its wake three unsalvageable buildings.  Learn from Village Manager Caleb Katz, how the spirit of Copper Country is contributing to relief efforts and what is the potential for redevelopment of this high-visibility location.

Clean, safe and attractive are adjectives that describe the bones of a great downtown.

Learn how Flint Township combined basic maintenance activities with community pride in this initiative to clean up its commercial, recreational and residential areas.  Tracey Tucker, Economic Enhancement DIrector, discusses how township citizens and partners decided to make a difference through Clean-Up Saturdays.

When the Southwest Detroit Business Association set out to assist local restaurants survive during the COVID-19 pandemic, an opportunity to capitalize on branding and cultural expression emerged.  Hear from SDBA Vice-President Jennifer Gomez how the effort evolved from the ordinary to the extraordinary by blending an emergent need with creativity and partnerships.

When a disastrous fire claimed a mid-block building in Downtown Lapeer, the community and the DDA went to work to dream up what could become of this new-found space.  The creation of a pocket park fit the bill.  Learn from James Alt, Lapeer DDA Director, how this phoenix rose from the ashes!