As the Chelsea City Council begins to tackle the issue of economic development in the city, I’m hoping readers will weigh in with their thoughts as well.
Economic development means different things to different people and I know that many residents don’t want to sit through meetings, but to me, their opinions are just as important as those who do choose to attend, so I’m hoping you’ll let me know your specific thoughts.
I plan to compile all of your ideas – large and small – and pass them onto the folks who will be making these decisions in the future.
So, here are a few things I’d like you to ponder.
Should economic development include recruiting new mid-sized businesses that will employ enough people to keep residents living and working in the city – rather than people having to travel elsewhere to make a living?
Should the city hire a full-time economic development director to lead this effort and actively recruit businesses or do you think there are residents who have enough expertize to help draft and implement a plan?
Obviously, it’s important to fill empty storefronts and buildings throughout the city, but what, specifically, would you like to see fill those empty, undeveloped or underdeveloped spaces? So for example, hoping that “something good” occupies a space isn’t as helpful as suggesting that a sporting goods store or a health spa occupy it.
And, equally as important, what kinds of businesses do you hope won’t locate in the city either because there are enough of them already or they aren’t ones you’d frequent?
Is keeping Chelsea a vital community just about what businesses operate here or does it include a larger picture? Does it, for example, include parks and recreation spaces or arts and culture or other community gathering places?
I am asking you to be thoughtful and specific with your suggestions because I think everyone can agree that vacant storefronts need to be filled or affordable items are preferable to expensive ones.
But in my opinion, Chelsea’s economic development process is about making Chelsea the best community it can be for all of us – and should include “things” (material and otherwise), that will keep families living in this community today, tomorrow and into the future.
So please refrain from badmouthing specific businesses because you don’t like what they sell (or don’t sell) or their prices. Please offer positive changes.
I do plan to do a number of stories on this issue during the year, including an inventory of all the types of businesses that are already here, as well as offering thoughts on what could be here and why it might succeed.
So, with all that in mind, are you willing to help? Please email me at [email protected] and fear not, no names will be included in the list I give to the City Council.
It would be nice to see a Target or something similar come to Chelsea as you cannot buy something as simple as socks or underwear without going to Jackson or Ann Arbor. There was a HUGE thread on “You Know You’re From Chelsea if” Facebook page about this very topic.
I would like to see a Tim Horton’s and maybe a Meijer.
You are 100% genius for putting this to the people of Chelsea! This is where the picture of our future needs to be started- not by an expert, not by a council, by the people. I will contribute to your idea. Thank you.
I moved back to Chelsea 9 years ago and live close to Main Street. Although “economic development” goes beyond the downtown area, I now need to drive to the post office, buy groceries, buy hardware items. It would be helpful to people who can walk downtown to have a “general store” of sorts and a satellite post office.
I agree with Rod Anderson that “economic development ” is hard to define. As a lay person, I understand it to include, but not limited to, the process of providing various economic incentives to potential businesses. I would see a collaboration of the Council, DDA, and Chamber of Commerce to have the greatest impact. I do not understand the group that is operating outside these entities, but it would seem that all need to work together in order for the purpose of developing and sustaining a vibrant community.
I would love to see something like a target come to Chelsea. It’s very difficult to find basics without driving into Ann Arbor. I also think a business like Trader Joe’s would do well. That said,I love all of the small businesses and would welcome many more. A gym in town, walking distance from everything, would also be nice.
I cringe when I hear that people want a Target or other big box store for Chelsea. Yes, we have to drive 10 miles to go buy socks, but I’d rather do that and keep Chelsea Lumber, Garden Mill, Aberdeen Bikes, Just Imagine, The Potting Shed and all the family owned unique stores that we have here. A Target would shut down practically every store we love and are proud of, and we would be left with a shell and a lot of bitter people blaming the City for how they ruined our town.
What I would love to see is startup businesses filling those empty spaces in town. I’d love to see creative people interested in launching new businesses or working at these places, wanting to walk to work so they rent apartments or homes, shop in town, and get a taste of small town life in a culturally rich town. We are close enough to the night life in Ann Arbor and Detroit, while still having the amenities to enjoy our small town life day to day. As it is now, the rent downtown is very expensive and it prices out entrepreneurs. I would love to see landlords filling those empty storefronts by lowering rents or the City or DDA offering incentives for young companies.
I would also love to see the WAVE expand to offer regular bus service connecting the residential and business areas. Wouldn’t it be great if we could promote a connected city to reduce the need for using a car to get places? What about building bike lanes on Main St and Old US 12 for the same initiative?
Lisa,
I look forward to the compiled responses and will most certainly share with our City Council.
Thanks for all you do for Chelsea!
jH
I would love to have better lunch options like panera and chipotle/Qdoba! “Fast food” but healthy and good quality. Also a natural/health foods store with lots of organic food options! There is not much at all here in chelsea for that! Love the target and meijer ideas too, that would be awesome!
I would like organic food options as well.