Township Board Meeting January 25th

The Township Board, in a 30-minute meeting last night, approved the following items:

• Continue to provide $400,000 from the General Fund annually to the Fire Fund as resolved by the Board in 2004.
• Continue to pay-off the unfunded mandate in MERS (employee retirement fund) over a 28-year period.
• Resolve to support the Kent County Road Commission in its efforts to obtain Federal funding for road improvements in the 52nd & Kraft area (upgrade the road to a Class A road).
• Abandon a short portion of the Patterson Drain (unused) east of Kraft (north of 28th St) to provide for development of the site (future Goodwill Store).
• Receive the monthly update from staff on the Strategic Plan. 

The Right Place - 2011 Annual Report

The Right Place, at a special meeting today at the Amway Grand Hotel, presented an in-depth review of its progress on the five-year strategic plan it created in 2008.  The Right Place promotes economic growth in the region by developing jobs through business retention, expansion and attraction of new businesses to West Michigan.  The Right Place committed to bring $500,000,000 in Capital Investment to the region from 2008 - 2013.  At the end of 2011, investment totalled $447,173,183.  They should easily exceed the goal for this item.  Two goals have already been surpassed:  Created jobs - the total is 7,417 (goal was 5,000)  and $259,203,106 in new payroll (goal was $175,000,000).  So far, 4,115 companies have been assisted toward a goal of 7,500.  Considering the rough economy the past few years, these numbers are remarkable!!!  I was honored to represent Cascade Charter Township on the 2011 Right Place Board of Directors.  The Right Place is chaired by Doug DeVos, a resident of Cascade!  A number of businesses have received assistance from the Right Place to help them grow or locate in the Township.  The Right Place is a very important part of economic development in West Michigan.  Look for more positive results in 2012!!!   

DDA MOVING CASCADE FORWARD!

The Cascade Downtown Development Association (DDA) Board met last night in the Wisner Center for a very exciting meeting!  The DDA reviewed the successful purchase and display of new holiday lights in the Village District and determined that the display should be slightly enlarged. Look for an even more impressive display next Christmas!!

Mr. Jeff Hundley stood before the Board to discuss his plans for the newly vacant Family Fare grocery store.  He is in discussions that should bring a new grocer to the center - he was entergetic about the possobilities!!!  He let the Board know he is also working on creating a new restaurant space with outdoor seating in the center.  I can't wait to see the changes  made and the new tenants move in!

The Board took some time to discuss their next projects - the boulevard on 28th Street is complete and the lights, landscaping and sidewalks are installed on Charlevoix and Foremeost.  They talked about adding more sidewalk further south on Charlevoix to Orchard Vista then back to Foremost, or south on Charlevoix to Tahoe, then east to Lucerne, then back to 28th Street.  Also discussed were the creation of a 'sound garden' and a 'children's garden' in the area near the library.  The DDA will meet next on March 20th to discusss these projects (and others), then decide on a course of action.  Great stuff!!

Finally, the DDA was briefed on the new liquor license awarded to the Township due to our increase in population as a result of the 2010 census.  The DDA directed Sandra Korhorn, the DDA Director to notify Jeff Hundley and other developers that there was a license available.  The Township Board had set a 60-day waiting periond for applications to be sure existing businesses are aware of the license.