The Review Magazine May / June 2021

Adrian’s ‘Match on Main’ Adrian distributed nearly $50,000 to 22 struggling businesses last year from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s “Match on Main” COVID response program. Money from the program can be used for working capital, payroll, rent, utility payments, and other expenses by businesses that have suffered significant, COVID-related hardships. Adrian distributed the money evenly among the 22 local businesses, with each business receiving $2,272.

reward our employees since we could not have our traditional staff recognition event,” said college President Don MacMaster. “It turned out to be a hit with staff.” The Alpena DDA also sponsored “Snowed In: A Downtown Facebook Live Shopping Event” on February 25. Six downtown businesses went live on Facebook in 15-minute segments, selling products, giving tours of their stores, and telling stories about their businesses. Several similar online shopping events were held last year while businesses were ordered closed. The events were credited with helping businesses stay in touch with longtime customers and add new ones from around the country. “Both promotions had a positive impact on our downtown businesses and were highly successful,” said DDA Executive Director Anne Gentry. “A lot of people in our community saw how difficult the last year has been for our downtown businesses and wanted to support them—so both programs gave people an easy way to do that.” The Facebook Live online shopping event was so successful that the DDA has continued them, Gentry said. Muskegon Dips into Social Districts Muskegon embraced the state’s social district law, enacted in July, that allows bar and restaurant patrons to purchase alcoholic beverages from establishments located in a social district and consume them off site within the district. Muskegon’s district encompasses a 12-block section of Western Avenue downtown. Eight establishments initially participated in the program and more are expected this summer, said Dave Alexander, business development manager at the Muskegon Downtown Development Authority. There are 22 businesses with liquor licenses in the district.

ADRIAN pop. 21,133

“They’re always available to provide advice on most planning or zoning issues and their advice is based on 35 years of experience in numerous communities throughout Michigan.” R. Brent Savidant, planning director, City of Troy 63 Michigan communities have a 22-person planning department. You can, too.

MUSKEGON pop. 38,401

“The establishments in the downtown social district are the foundation we’re building for a new downtown,” Alexander said. “We want them to be here after COVID-19 is over and into the next new normal. Certain establishments aren’t going to make it, but new restaurants will fill in those spaces. There may be changes of ownership, but I don’t think we’re going to lose any locations with liquor licenses.”

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