West Central Michigan News

The Coldwater Main Street program released an Impact Report which highlights a year’s worth of investment and volunteerism within the downtown core. $534,249 of private funds were invested in the downtown core, including five façade and building improvements, and three new businesses. 252 volunteer hours were leveraged in service of downtown projects and programs at a value of over $7,000 to the community. The Impact Report marks the Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA) first year as a Main Street program from October 2021 to October 2022. The Impact Report also includes information from the 2022 Downtown Pulse Poll, local community demographics, drive time markets, and downtown goals. Projects that have started construction but are not yet complete will be included in next year’s impact report. These projects include the ongoing renovations at 27 Marshall Street to create market-rate housing, the renovations occurring at 60 W. Chicago Street to create a new home for the Children’s Museum of Branch County, and others. 

The Coldwater Main Street program is led by the Downtown Development Authority. Projects and programs that are developed by the DDA and its volunteers will be designed to create a district full of family-friendly experiences with a focus on arts and culture. This is part of the program’s Transformation Strategy that was developed through a strategic planning process over the course of 2022. 

To view the full report, visit the DDA’s web page on Coldwater.org. To request a presentation for your club or group, or to get involved with the Main Street program, contact Audrey Tappenden using atappenden@coldwater.org or 517-279-6913.  

Original source can be found here.