Downtown Development Authority
The Fennville DDA's proposed TIFA can be found here: DDA TIFA Update 2023
The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is a municipal corporation of the State of Michigan, authority by Michigan Public Act of 1975 and enabled by local ordinance. The City of Fennville established its DDA in August of 1992, adopted a tax increment financing (TIF) and development plan to establish development area boundaries and prioritize proposed projects in 1993, and adopted an amendment to this plan in 2003.
The DDA is governed by a board whose members consist of the Mayor and persons having an interest in property located in the downtown district. Members are appointed to four-year terms by the Mayor and approved by the City Commission. The chairman and other officers are elected by the board each year. Members of the board serve without compensation.
The mission of the DDA, as stated in the amended TIF development plan, is to create a functional, attractive business district to meet the needs of the community through meeting the following goals:
- Encourage an improved environment for development and redevelopment of commercial buildings and land.
- Improve overall parking and circulation.
- Strive for improved public and semipublic infrastructure within the development district.
- Improve the overall appearance of the downtown area.
- Create an aesthetically pleasing environment.
- Encourage development of additional public spaces in the district, and improve the existing facilities.
The DDA has formed committees in which to address four key facets of economic development as identified by the National Mainstreet program. These committees are Economic Restructuring, Organization, Physical Elements and Promotion. The goals and objectives of the DDA have been divided accordingly to each of these four committees.
The DDA uses tax incrementing financing (TIF) to capture taxes from real and personal properties located within the boundaries of its district. Participating taxing jurisdictions are the City of Fennville, the County of Allegan, and the Fennville District Library. These TIF proceeds are used to pay for administration functions and public beautification and improvement projects.
The DDA currently pays for municipal services provided by administrative staff, DPW professional staff and general labor and supplies.
The DDA is committed to meaningful action. It continues to implement the strategies outlined in the TIF plan and the Downtown Fennville Strategic Plan in order to accomplish its goals and objectives in creating a vibrant and attractive downtown area for visitors and residents.