KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – With work underway on the City of Kalamazoo’s first comprehensive economic development strategy in more than a decade, city officials are reaching out for community input.
A community open house will be held Wednesday, May 8 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. in the Van Deusen Room at the Kalamazoo Public Library’s downtown branch, 315 South Rose Street.
City officials say there will be three main topics: business vitality, quality of life, and economic development vision. Attendees will be asked to score how the City and its partners are performing in each area.
Attendees will be able to speak directly with City staff and the representatives from Camoin Associates, the consultant supporting the project. There is no scheduled program, so community members can come to the open house at their convenience and stay for as long or as little as they would like.
Jerrid Burdue, Neighborhood Business & Special Projects Coordinator for the City of Kalamazoo says, “Economic development isn’t only about businesses, it’s about bringing investment into our community.”
The development of the economic development strategy started in early 2024. The process has included a thorough analysis of economic data and several focused interviews with local partners like large employers, colleges & universities, KRESA, Southwest Michigan First, and local developers, among others.
A draft of the strategy will be presented to the advisory Economic Development Corporation board for initial review before the final version is presented to the City Commission at a Committee of the Whole Meeting in July.
Comments