301 W. Upton Ave. Reed City, MI
Mon-Fri  9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Downtown Development Authority

RICHMOND TOWNSHIP DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Richmond Township established a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) by Ordinance in 1999 as a means to undertake public facility improvements throughout its development area.

Mission Statement
The mission of Richmond Township’s DDA is:
“To attract, create, and retain business establishments by providing financial assistance to support business expansion, thereby increasing employment opportunities for the community’s residents.”

Board Members, Bylaws & Board Agendas/Minutes

The Richmond Township DDA meetings are held the fourth Monday of every quarter, beginning in January (meets January, April, July and October).  The DDA will hold semi-annual informational meetings at the regular meetings in April and October, in compliance with the RECODIFIED TAX INCREMENT FINANCING ACT, Act 57 of 2018, as amended. 

Financial Documents
Annual Audits
Annual Budget
Current Year Records and Documents
 
Annual Activities
Richmond Township DDA Development and Tax Increment Finance Plan Update 2012
Richmond Township DDA  Economic Development Guidebook
Board Members, Bylaws & Minutes

Board Members
Office Name
Telephone, Email 		 Appointment / Term
Chairperson 
Ron Marek
Retired
(231) 388-4082
rjmusic@hotmail.com
 January 2018 - January 2022
Vice Chairperson
Johnell LeBaron
Retired
johnell.lebaron@gmail.com		 January 2021 - January 2025
Secretary
Deb Ahlich
Crossroads Catering
(231) 832-2772 (h)
(231) 832-9833 (w)
debahlich@gmail.com		 January 2021 - January 2025
Treasurer 
Brad Taylor
Lake Osceola State Bank 
btaylor@losb.com		 January 2019 - January 2023
Member 
Richard Sheldon
State Farm Insurance 
(231) 832-2113 (h)
(231) 349-1432 (c)
rich@richsheldon.com		 January 2018 - January 2022
Member   Dr. Alex Gould, D.D.S
Owner - Reed City Dental		 January 2022 - January 2026
Member  
James Maturen
Retired 
(231) 832-2575 (c)
jimmaturen@att.net		 January 2020 - January 2024
Member  vacancy  
Member 
Maynard Bluhm
Township Supervisor
(231) 349-0680 (c)
maynardbluhm@gmail.com		 Ex-officio 
Supervisor 
Recording Secretary  Linda Stieg  
Director Robert Toland
(616) 204-3747 (M)
tolandrtc@ameritech.net		  
 Election of Officers: January

Bylaws & Board Meeting Minutes (for minutes prior to 2020 contact the DDA)
Richmond Township DDA Bylaws.

Currently the DDA meets quarterly in January, April, July, and October.  Minutes are posted after they are approved. 
DDA Board Minutes: July 27, 2020

  
 

DDA Board Minutes; January 25, 2021
DDA Board Agenda; February 24, 2021 - Special Meeting, Vision 220th Project
DDA Special Board Meeting Minutes: March 15, 2021
DDA Board Minutes: April 26, 2021
Financial Documents

 Current Contracts

  • Robert Toland Consulting has been appointed as the Director of the Richmond Township DDA effective February 1, 2020.  Compensation will be $650.00/month retainer and $350.00/meeting.
  • Manning Design has been retained to prepare design guidelines of potential public improvements along 220th Avenue, effective February 2, 2021.  Compensation will be a lump sum $5,100, plus reimbursable expenses up to $300, and additional meetings and presentations up to $2,000, for a total amount of $7,400. 
Plans

  • Richmond Township Downtown Development Authority Economic Development Guidebook:  The Economic Development Guidebook provides a baseline assessment of the existing conditions that drive the economy in Richmond Township and is intended to help local stakeholders and Township government officials implement strategies that contribute to the Township's economic health.  It includes strategic recommendations to enhance Richmond Township's business climate, ensure the fiscal health of the Township, and support economic growth in the Township in a manner consistent with the Township's character.
  • Richmond Township DDA Development & Tax Increment Finance Plan Update 2012:  As authorized by the Act, the Richmond Township Board and DDA determined it necessary to update the Development Plan and Tax Increment Finance Plan originally adopted in 2000 in order to continue to promote property tax valuation and economic development within the Downtown District.  The Richmond Township DDA Development & Tax Increment Finance Plan Update 2012 accomplishes three objectives; extends the life of the Plan through 2039 in order to undertake additional public improvements within the District, enables continued collection of tax increment revenues as a means to finance the proposed capital improvements, and eevises and expands the list of capital improvement projects to be undertaken during the life of the Plan.