The Stevensville Village Council has signaled its interest in creating a Greater Stevensville Chamber and Growth Alliance to help accelerate economic development in the area.
Stevensville Village Manager Kacey Dominguez tells us the village would work with the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber to set up the CGA, similar to what’s been done in Bridgman in recent years.
“The village has really focused on economic development in the past year or two, really asking our businesses what they need, asking our community what businesses they want to come to the village, and really the CGA gives an opportunity to have an economic development professional,” Dominguez said.
Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber President Arthur Havlicek tells us a CGA is different from the more traditional chamber of commerce in that it takes the investment of several partners in the area.
“If a Greater Stevensville CGA was to be formed, it would be referencing the regional chamber, the village of Stevensville, and Lincoln Charter Township,” Havlicek said. “It’s predicated heavily on that municipal investment, but then also investment and engagement from the private sector.
Havlicek will be making a presentation on the possibility of a Stevensville Chamber and Growth Alliance to the Lincoln Township Board of Trustees this month. He’ll be back with a formal proposal for the Stevensville Village Council next month.
In the coming weeks, discussions between the village, township, and chamber will focus on finalizing the CGA’s structure, securing funding, defining priorities, and identifying a timeline.
