Fennville receives Certification as Redevelopment Ready Community

LANSING, Mich. – For its efforts in establishing a solid foundation to attract private investment and further build on municipal assets, Fennville has been awarded the Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) certification, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced today.

MEDC officially designates Fennville as a Certified RRC in Michigan. Fennville now joins a distinguished group of 87 Michigan communities from all regions of the state that have qualified as “thoroughly prepared” in their planning and zoning efforts. This designation aims to eliminate traditional barriers and foster opportunities for potential investment. For a complete list of RRCs, visit miplace.org.

“Our mission at MEDC is to support Michigan’s strong economic momentum and empower communities to establish a strong planning, zoning and economic development foundation,” said MEDC SVP of Community Planning and Development Readiness Michele Wildman. “The City of Fennville is well positioned to continue to implement their vision for the future and further improve the quality of life for its residents. We look forward to building upon our relationship with the City of Fennville and supporting local economic development efforts.”

As an RRC participant, the City of Fennville received a comprehensive assessment that measured current community and economic development practices compared to RRC best practice standards. Communities leverage the RRC toolkit to integrate transparency, predictability, and efficiency into local economic development practices. Certification is a compelling indicator that a community has removed development barriers and streamlined processes to be more competitive and attractive for investment.

"This recognition by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation reflects our team's commitment to building a more transparent, investor-ready, and community-driven development environment,” said City Administrator Katie Beemer. “The work we’ve accomplished through RRC—strengthening our policies, engagement plans, and redevelopment tools—has positioned Fennville to attract strategic investments that support our long-term goals and preserve what makes our community special. Fennville’s Redevelopment Ready Communities certification reflects more than just a process—it represents real progress for our residents. It shows that our city is not only open for business, but also intentional about how we grow." 

As a certified community, Fennville will have access to new tools to implement its community development goals as well as ongoing support and technical assistance from the RRC team. Annual check-ins and updates will help ensure the city continues implementing the best practices over time. Certification is active for five years before needing to be renewed.

"Earning Redevelopment Ready Communities Certification is a proud milestone for the City of Fennville,” said Mayor Carlos Lopez. “The Redevelopment Ready Communities program has helped us lay the groundwork for development that reflects our values and benefits everyone who calls Fennville home. This recognition by the MEDC affirms that we’re ready to welcome investments that strengthen our downtown, support local businesses, and improve quality of life for our entire community."

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.