Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
AT THE podium, Ironwood city manager Paul Anderson addresses the audience in the Downtown City Square during a July 12 celebration of Ironwood having achieved Redevelopment Ready City status from the Michigan Economic Development Commission. The new designation acknowledges that Ironwood officials have worked to make the city developer-friendly in order to attract new business to the region. Listening, from left (backs turned), are Gina Thorsen, Michael Meyers and Bob Jacquart. Tom Bergman stands in the background.
By PAMELA JANSSON
Ironwood - On July 12, kids shrieked in the background while playing in the sprinkler of the Downtown City Square as local and state officials hailed Ironwood's newly allotted status as a Redevelopment Ready City.
The squeals were apt as officials sometimes used similar enthusiasm to congratulate and/or thank each for the accomplishment.
"Redevelopment Ready - Yay!" called out Mayor Kim Corcoran.
The mayor said the new status, conferred by Michigan's Economic Development Commission, will allow the city new avenues of success in relation to development.
"You don't know how things are going to happen unless you have that map - a roadmap," she said.
Vicki Schwab, a U.P.-based representative of the MEDC, said that the new designation for Ironwood was the result of a five-year journey that necessitated countless hours of work and a lot of cooperation.
"This is just another sign of how Ironwood is a truly collaborative community," said Schwab, adding that Ironwood now has "a unified vision" and "a streamlined process" toward future success
Ironwood city manager Paul Anderson said that steps to achieve the RRC status included reformatting the city's website and rewriting the city's zoning to make it more developer-friendly and consistent with overall city planning goals.
Every step taken, said Anderson, was "aimed at bringing more development into the city."
The idea, he said, was "to remove as many roadblocks as possible for companies to move into Ironwood and get started efficiently."
As a result, he said he hopes in the next decade to see more housing, restaurants and businesses in Ironwood.
State Sen. Ed McBroom (R-Waucedah Township) congratulated city officials on "a great opportunity for what I consider the gateway of the western U.P."
The senator said this area has been "very neglected" for many years by the state ever since mines closed. He commended the dedication of city and MEDC officials in resulting with Ironwood's new status.
State Rep. Greg Markkanen (R-Hancock) also congratulated Ironwood and commended officials for continued growth since the city's incorporation in 1889.
"The changes that have happened in Ironwood in these past five years are immense," said Gina Thorsen, CEO of Jacquart Fabrics in Ironwood and recently named Small Business Advocate of Michigan.
Thorsen said the new designation will help to make Ironwood "even more vibrant than it is."
Tom Bergman, the city's community development director, thanked MEDC for helping Ironwood in taking the new step forward. "They've been a great partner for the city," said Bergman of MEDC officials.
Schwab said MEDC pledges continued support and commended the city's commitment to improve the region and "to help people find their true north."
Corcoran thanked Bergman and his assistant, Tim Erickson, as well as all Ironwood city staff, for their work in achieving the RRC status.
