Beckett & Raeder was engaged by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation through Project Empire to assist the City of Negaunee with economic development and downtown advisory services.

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Outcomes of this professional assistance included the preparation of a community-based economic development strategy and several downtown advisory projects.  Downtown projects included reactivation of the dormant Negaunee Downtown Development Authority, including reconstitution of the Board, and preparation of a Downtown Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan.

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As a prelude to the DDA Development Plan a physical design plan was prepared for the downtown which included renderings of proposed projects and estimates of probable construction costs.  Shortly after the DDA Development Plan was approved the City extended a separate contract to expand the DDA boundaries and prepare an addendum to the DDA.