Advertise on podcast: In MI Downtown

Downtown Farmington continues to reach higher levels in place making and economic development, recently culminating in the receipt of the Great American Main Street Award from Main Street America. Learn from director Jess Westendorf how the work to receive this honor evolved over twenty years of community participation.

This episode of In MI Downtown explores the concept of revolving loan funds, their benefits, challenges, and best practices for downtown development and small business support. Guests Josh, Sam and Lizzie share insights from Michigan communities on how these funds foster economic vitality and community wealth building.

In this episode, MDA Executive Director Dana Walker interviews Jennifer Foster, CEO of Catalyst Media Factory, about how small businesses can leverage PR and social media to thrive in downtown areas. They discuss practical strategies for marketing, building community relationships, and adapting to modern consumer behaviors.

This podcast features an insightful discussion with Shanna Dreheim, Policy Director at the Michigan Municipal League, exploring the fundamentals of public policy and its impact on downtown development and community revitalization in Michigan.

In this episode, Dana Walker discusses the Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) with Vic Veda and Burke Sage. They explore the benefits of MRA membership, including legislative advocacy, merchant services, and community engagement through initiatives like the Buy Nearby campaign. The conversation highlights the importance of supporting local businesses, especially in the face of challenges like e-commerce and gift card fraud. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to shift their spending towards local businesses and to utilize the resources provided by MRA.

MDA Executive Director Dana Walker, along with members of the organizational Advocacy Committee, discusses the value and details of the upcoming annual visit with legislators in Michigan's Capitol in Lansing. Thank you to James Alt, Kate Knight and Nate Mack for your contributions.

In this episode of The Pulse, Dana Walker speaks with Jeff Genova, the Downtown Development Authority Coordinator for Holland, Michigan. They discuss Jeff's journey from managing a brewery to his current role in city government, emphasizing the importance of community collaboration and relationships with local businesses. Jeff shares insights about the innovative infrastructure in Holland, including a snow melt system and a new ice skating ribbon, which enhance the downtown experience year-round. The conversation also touches on cultural differences between Michigan and the South, Jeff's passion for cooking and photography, and future developments in Holland.

In this episode of In MI Downtown, Bob Hahn from Farmington Hills-based lighting supplier Lumecon discusses advances in the lighting industry, the Dark Skies Initiative and the importance of lighting to downtown safety and ambiance.

In the March, 2025 episode of In MI Downtown, we discussed Facade Incentive Programs with Boyne City's Ingrid Day. As a follow-up to that conversation, we invited Michigan's State Historic Preservation Office to explain in more detail the design guidelines that are necessary to consider whether or not to approve a facade application. SHPO's CLG and Community Preservation Coordinator Haley Schriber answers my questions about the creation of design guidelines, which components are key and who needs to be part of the process.

Combining specialties to create the boutique consulting firm GD Placemaking, Lindsey Dotson and Rae Gosling offer services to communities for project management, Main Street consulting and small business support. The Michigan Downtown Association and GD Placemaking are joining forces to offer a consulting package to a business applicant from a Michigan downtown. Find out more by listening in.

Looking for a unique way to engage your downtown visitors in any season? Find out more about Ice Guru Events from owner Randy Finch. From ice sculpting to bubble clouds, services from Ice Guru Events can help activate downtown spaces and captivate event goers with immersive experiences!

Facade Improvement Programs are a tool long-used by DDAs and Main Street Programs to compel, support and incentivize improvements that add to a downtown's historic character and quality. In today's episode, we learn some best practices from Main Street Boyne City's Ingrid Day.

Coordination and communication are key ingredients to a healthy relationship with city leaders who are looking to their DDAs for economic development success. Paul Zelenak, long-time volunteer with the MDA and an experienced city manager who understands the value that DDAs bring, offers his perspective and experiences on building a better relationship with your CVT council in this episode of In MI Downtown.

Downtown directors are the heartbeat of their communities! And, Mike McGuiness has been integrally involved in the workings of not one, but two communities with his creative and positive leadership style. Learn how Mike has straddled Woodward Avenue in Oakland County, Michigan, to follow his passion for community-building in Berkley and Pontiac. Do not miss this fast-paced discussion about a life-long pursuit of community service.

Michigan's downtown directors are the heartbeat of their communities! And, we'd like to get to know them better. In this special episode of The Pulse/In MI Downtown, we learn more about Downtown Wixom's Laura Cloutier who is entering her fifth year of downtown management. Learn about Laura's childhood in Southfield, her path to the downtown career field, and her passion for flower gardens and charcuterie boards! Laura was interviewed by MDA Executive Director Dana Walker.