Baldwin achieves MEDC's Redevelopment Ready Communities "Essentials" status

For its efforts in establishing a more streamlined development process and overall community development vision, the Village of Baldwin achieved the Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) Essentials designation, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today.

RRC is a voluntary initiative which empowers communities to shape their future as they strive to become RRC Certified by building a foundation of planning, zoning, and economic development best practices and integrating them into their everyday functions and was launched statewide in 2013. RRC promotes communities to be development ready and competitive in today’s economy by actively engaging stakeholders and proactively planning, making them more attractive for projects that create places where people want to live, work, and invest.

Based on feedback from communities and other stakeholders, MEDC evolved the RRC toolkit in February 2021 to include two different designations: “Essentials” and “Certified.” Communities can now determine which path is most appropriate for their needs based on capacity, community goals, and other local factors. Reaching the RRC Essentials designation is a formal recognition that a community has a vision for the future and the fundamental practices in place to get there.

“We applaud the Village of Baldwin for achieving Essentials status,” said MEDC Chief Place Officer of Place, Programs, & Services Michele Wildman. “Baldwin has identified its desired direction for the future and has a plan to achieve its goals for the community. We look forward to building upon our relationship with the Village and supporting its continued economic development efforts.”

To achieve the Essentials designation, Baldwin worked to incorporate all the key documents and practices to provide a predictable development experience and meet local planning and zoning responsibilities under Michigan law. The village efforts have produced high-quality documents and processes that will continue to generate value.

“The Essentials designation makes many new and valuable resources available to our community,” said Village President Jim Truxton. “The Village has worked for over two years to complete a long checklist of requirements around policies, procedures, public engagement and transparency. These completed items demonstrate we are ready and willing to work with developers and businesses to bring about the projects wanted and needed by our community.”

“The work that the Village of Baldwin has put in to reach this RRC status is commendable," said Jodi Nichols, Executive Director of the Lake County Economic Development Alliance through The Right Place. "I look forward to partnering with village leadership to utilize the tools and resources that are now available to us to foster continued community-driven growth.”

To date, the MEDC has formally recognized 77 Michigan communities in all corners of the state at the Certified level and 26 at the Essentials level. These communities have qualified as “thoroughly prepared” when it comes to planning and zoning, to remove traditional barriers and promote opportunities for prospective investors. To see the entire list of Redevelopment Ready Communities, visit here.