In response to changes in parking utilization throughout the downtown district in Ann Arbor post-COVID, the Ann Arbor DDA has initiated the process of completion of a parking rate study. In this episode of In MI Downtown, we will hear from Kelley Graves, Ann Arbor DDA Management Assistant and Board Secretary, and Jada Hahlbrook, Parking Manager, about the goals of the study and the development of the request for proposals. This podcast serves a dual role as a portion of Kelley Graves' capstone project for the MDA's Professional Development Certificate Program.

The first MI Downtown Association workshop in 2023 combines Advocacy Day with state legislators, with a jam-packed workshop in East Lansing the following day.  MDA Executive Director Dana Walker and East Lansing's Community and Economic Development Administrator Adam Cummins preview the workshop and the latest happenings in East Lansing that you'll want to check out while visiting!   How can you impact the perceptions of your downtown?  Come to the workshop and find out!

Does your downtown district remain full of activity during the post-holiday colder winter months?  You can make a difference in retaining vibrancy following best practices from the Winter Cities Guidebook.  Learn more from Patrick Coleman of the Winter Cities Institute and North of 45 about strategies to combat those winter blues!  This episode of In MI Downtown is a must-listen for any Michigan community that experiences the effects of cold, snow, wind and sunless days!

Downtowns need to remain relevant during the holiday shopping season (and beyond) as customers respond to latest trends and alternate methods.   Special events, promotions and displays contribute to making a downtown merry, bright and busy during this important season of the calendar.  We've captured stories from all over Michigan - from Charlevoix to Farmington and Spring Lake to Romeo - that help illustrate the unique opportunity downtown organizations have to attract holiday revelers.

Downtown Lansing launched the Middle Village Micro Market in 2021 and it's success has been phenomenal so far!  Cathleen Edgerly, Executive Director of Downtown Lansing, Inc., and Julie Reinhardt, Director of Downtown Community Development, discuss the process to open this unique business incubator, what the experience is like for its "Villagers" and how its success is leading to another amazing incubator project.

This November 3 and 4, the Michigan Downtown Association will host its annual conference on the sandy shores of Lake Michigan in Downtown Muskegon.  Listen in to find out more about conference highlights and to discover what there is to see and do nearby to make your stay more fun!

Recreational marijuana dispensaries have sprouted up all over the State of Michigan since being legalized in 2018.  Yet, many communities have removed themselves from contention for a location by opting out, as permitted by law.  Are these communities overlooking an economic development opportunity? In this episode of In MI Downtown, we discuss as a case study one community's experience with attracting recreational marijuana dispensaries to its downtown.  Listen in as Marjo Jaroch, DDA Executive Director from Bay City, discusses the real life pros and cons of its downtown dispensaries.

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.