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GENERAL INFORMATION Thank you for visiting our web site. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the many services provided through the Eastpointe Economic Development division of the Office of the City Manager. We would like your experience with our division to be a pleasant one, and we will be happy to assist you in any way we can. The Economic Development Director is appointed by, and serves at the pleasure of, the City Manager and the Eastpointe Downtown Development Authority. The Economic Development division is located at Eastpointe City Hall, 23200 Gratiot Avenue, Eastpointe, Michigan 48021; (586) 445-5016 ext. 3. Hours of operation are Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MISSION AND SERVICES The Economic Development division provides support for local business in the areas of relocation and expansion needs. The division is also available to assist with businesses looking to locate within the city. Demographic, market and community profile information, as well as other information can be found within this office and the Director will be happy to assist businesses in whatever ways possible. The Economic Development Director will team up with other departments to support with the processing/obtaining of building and site plan reviews, permits, inspections, and other requirements. The Economic Development office is under the administration of the City Manager's office. Correspondence can be addressed to: Steve Horstman, Director Economic Development Office 23200 Gratiot Avenue Eastpointe, MI 48021(586) 445-5016 REVITALIZATION During the past ten years, the City has initiated the revitalization of commercial centers along Gratiot Avenue and Nine Mile Road, offering modern shopping facilities and a vast array of services to area residents. The community has also been proactive in upgrading the small number of deteriorated housing units within its stable, middle-class neighborhoods. In 1996, the City commissioned a market study, completed in 1997, to examine a 3/4-mile stretch of Gratiot Avenue from Couzens Avenue south to Eight Mile Road. The Eight Mile and Gratiot intersection has been the focal point of redevelopment efforts in the past, and the "Gratiot Avenue Market Study" only confirmed the untapped potential for redevelopment in this area. Redevelopment nodes were identified by the market study and the City is currently working to act as a catalyst for redevelopment in this area. BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY The Eastpointe Brownfield Redevelopment Authority was established as a means to assist in the redevelopment of abandoned, idle, or underutilized properties, where expansion or redevelopment is hindered or complicated by real or perceived environmental conditions. The BRA is a powerful tool that provides a variety of federal, state and local incentives for the redevelopment of land and/or buildings. The Brownfield Redevelopment program evens the playing field between far-flung suburban green space and attractive urban redevelopment areas. Available incentives may include Small Business Tax (SBT) Credits, Tax Increment Financing (TIF), and others. Additionally, there are a number of federal and state programs and incentives that can be packaged to make any development project more economically feasible. Assistance is available for land assembly, demolition, environmental investigation/remediation, infrastructure improvements, and more. REDEVELOPMENT READY COMMUNITIES Program GoalsOn February 18, 2005 the City of Eastpointe was selected as one of six pilot communities for the Michigan Suburbs Alliance’s new Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) Initiative.
The goal of the RRC project
is to help older communities streamline administrative local government
processes by removing redevelopment barriers through a set of best
practices and certification system that formally recognizes
collaboration between government and developers that encourages
redevelopment. An independent third party will review community
processes and certify that a city's planning and economic development
operations meet the benchmark. A system for certifying communities as
“redevelopment ready” will benefit both older communities struggling to
revitalize themselves and developers by creating a more efficient and
predictable redevelopment process. The Partnership for Redevelopment is
a collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and
the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to enhance the RRC
project and help communities realize cost savings through efficiencies
generated through cooperation and coordination of various city services
internally and across jurisdictional boundaries. The partnership will
allow us to develop an RRC Resource Center to provide technical
assistance to communities seeking certification. Best Practice Standards
Best Practice Standards are
standards designed to improve the efficiency of a community’s
redevelopment processes and create a standardized system benefiting both
community and developer. The purpose of the standards is to provide a
set of criteria that will be used to guide communities seeking to spur
redevelopment and to assess those communities’ progress in becoming
redevelopment ready.
1. Lead a dialogue with the community on the need for redevelopment and a vision for the community’s future. 2. Create a process for ensuring that public officials or for anyone who is officially involved in economic development are knowledgeable enough to make educated decisions about development. 3. Define the redevelopment incentive programs that the local government will use to facilitate redevelopment. 4. Gather, maintain and distribute information on available redevelopment sites and uses. 5. To establish redevelopment procedures that define and maintain a clear and predictable site plan review process. Administrative policies that support this objective are a vital step in sending a positive message to developers. 6. Document a site plan approval process for redevelopment proposals that will aid in efficient decision-making on a site plan application. Coordinating community staff efforts can result in important resource savings. 7. Adopt zoning ordinance amendments that facilitate redevelopment. 8. Identify areas, sites and desired uses for redevelopment. COMMERCIAL FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM The Eastpointe Commercial Façade Improvement Program has been established to assist local landlords and business owners with facility upgrades. The program is a coordinated effort between the City of Eastpointe, the Eastpointe Chamber of Commerce, First State Bank and TCF Bank. Incentives include free architectural design assistance, low interest financing, and $1,000 grants for sites located in the Downtown Development Authority district. Applications are available at City Hall and the Chamber of Commerce. SITE DATABASE
A joint
effort of the Economic Development Office and the Chamber of Commerce,
this database of available properties is updated on a regular basis with
all commercial and industrial properties for sale or lease in the City
of
RETAIL
Eastpointe is able to serve the day-to-day retail and service needs of residents and the surrounding market. In addition to the availability of a number of specialty shops unique to Eastpointe, the City is home to a number of national chains. Within the city, shoppers have access to five primary shopping centers, including East Brooke Commons (Nine Mile/Gratiot); Fairway Shopping Center (Ten Mile/I-94); Riviera Shopping Center (Ten Mile/Gratiot); Pointe Plaza (Nine Mile/Hayes); and the Farmer Jack Shopping Center (Eight Mile/Gratiot). In addition, three major shopping centers are located within a twenty-minute drive and a number of smaller, regional centers are quickly accessible. CENTRAL BUSINESS B-2 is our new Central Business zoning classification that designates the Nine Mile and Gratiot area as a specific downtown shopping district. This district specifically encourages new retail, mixed-uses, outdoor cafe areas an other unique aspects that make up a downtown shopping district. OFFICE (OS-1) The City of Eastpointe has several Office/Service Zoning Districts. The developed areas are generally occupied by professional and administrative businesses, serving the needs of residents. The City's current Zoning Ordinance also allows for office use of the B-1 Local Business District, subject to the applicable regulations. The OS-1 Office/Service Zoning is generally located in the Kelly Road area between Ten and Eight Mile Roads. INDUSTRIAL (I-1) Eastpointe possesses several small-scale industrial sites. The Light Industrial districts are designed to primarily accommodate wholesale activities, warehouses, research offices and industrial operations whose external and physical effects are restricted to the area of the district and in no manner affect the surrounding districts. The I-1 Light Industrial districts are located on Ten Mile, Stephens and Nine Mile Roads. MACOMB COUNTY PROGRAMS Macomb County Business Assistance Center Did you know free, confidential business services are available to you through the Business Assistance Center? Macomb County has partnered with the Michigan Small Business Development Center Network, a program partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, to provide services such as business planning, loan packaging, marketing/sales, budgeting, site selection and licensing. According to Pamela Goralewski, Certified Business Consultant with the Business Assistance Center, " In the past four years, the Macomb County Business Assistance Center has assisted over 55 Eastpointe entrepreneurs with growing their small business." The Center's experienced staff can answer all your business questions. They are networked with a wide variety of public and private business assistance organizations whose mission is to respond to your needs. Give them a call to find out how they can serve you. Contact the Business Assistance Center at:
Macomb Community College Macomb Community College provides a wide-range of economic development seminars. Topics include "Be Your Own Boss" and "Accounting for Small Businesses". Macomb County Planning and Economic Development Many services are provided by this Department including site/facility location assistance, employee recruitment and labor training consultation, access to sources of fixed-asset financing and research of market/economic data. As a part of their business retention and attraction program, this Department has assembled a package of promotional materials, including brochures, a full-color photo guide to Macomb County, and videos featuring the exceptional business climate and quality of life. Macomb County Community Growth Alliance The Macomb County Community Growth Alliance is a cooperative effort of leaders from business, labor, education and government assembled to oversee countywide economic development activities. WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS The Macomb County Small Business Development Center, in cooperation with the US Small Business Administration and the National Association of Women Business Owners, participated in a new program for women business owners seeking assistance in obtaining financing. The Loan Education and Assistance Program provides women business owners free access to business counselors, CPAs, bank loan officers and attorneys to help develop a business plan, review financial statements, describe the loan application process, and participate in a loan simulation with a small business lender. This program is ideal for women business owners who anticipate the need for financing but are unsure where to begin, what questions to ask, or what documents are needed. OTHER ORGANIZATIONS The Economic Development office works closely with the business and civic organizations within the city and the surrounding region. The Eastpointe Chamber of Commerce The office of the Eastpointe Chamber of Commerce is located at 23801 Gratiot Avenue, telephone (586) 776-5520. The Chamber employs a part-time Executive Director and operates with a Board of seven Directors. Correspondence can be directed to: Catherine Green, Executive Director23801 Gratiot Avenue Eastpointe, MI 48021 (586) 776-5520 (586) 776-7808 Fax Housing Opportunities for Macomb, Inc.
Eight Mile Boulevard Association Michigan Suburbs Alliance EASTPOINTE FESTIVALS
Cruisin' Gratiot -
Cruisin' Gratiot (click
here for website) is an annual, week long celebration of automotive
history, tradition and memorabilia in the City of Eastpointe. The events
include many car shows, contests and family outings; all culminating in
a day long extravaganza centering on one of the most time honored
traditions in Detroit history....Cruisin' Gratiot. June Other Eastpointe events include: Shiver Fest - ice carving demonstrations and competitions, dog sled rides, swimsuit karaoke, food, music and more. February Cultural Heritage Festival - traditional cultural performers, folk artists, food vendors, community booths and more. August EASTPOINTE BUSINESS WEBSITES |
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