As we close out the final quarter of 2024, it’s important to reflect on the progress made in our economic development efforts over the past year.

Marked by the welcoming of a new Economic Development Director, the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce has worked to expand opportunities not only within the City of Manistee but across the entire county. In 2024, 442 economic development contacts were made, including existing businesses, housing developers, local units of government, and community organizations. Growth is not possible without these partners, and many of 2024's economic wins must be credited to their collaborative efforts.  

Key projects in 2024 include the ongoing development of the Riley apartment complex, which will provide 288 market-rate rental units to Manistee County, and significant progress toward the construction of the Lakeside Social restaurant along US-31 and the Northern Hotel at 141 Washington Street. New initiatives that emerged this year include the Strategic Site Readiness program, designed to enhance the county’s site inventory for new investments, and the Norman Township Housing Project, which is focused on addressing the need for teacher housing. Furthermore, several new businesses joined Downtown Manistee's vibrant economy, with businesses such as The Piping Plover, The Sun Shack Co, and Annie’s Florals opening their doors for the first time.



Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to build on this strong foundation with a continued focus on housing, childcare, business retention, business attraction, and workforce development. The Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Developer Day in the spring, which will connect developers with investment opportunities across the county. Additionally, business retention visits will be a major focus, recognizing that up to 80% of new jobs and investments come from existing businesses.

Entering the new year, the chamber is excited to embrace the efforts that will foster our community and create sustainable economic growth.



Andrew Stafford

Riley Apartments - 610 E Parkdale Avenue

288-unit market-rate apartment project.

• In April, the Manistee County Land Bank was able to demolish the Old Kennedy School with a half-a-million-dollar grant from the State of Michigan Land Bank Authority. 
• In early December, the developer initiated site clearing, with plans to continue site preparation through the winter months. Weather permitting, utility installation will commence during this time.
• The Developer hopes to begin placing foundations in the spring. 

Northern Hotel - 141-149 Washington Street 

A historic mixed-use development of at least 13 long-term apartments and first-floor commercial space.

• The Northern Hotel project at 141-149 Washington Street secured approximately $1.6 million in funding for demolition and stabilization through the County Land Bank, with support from the State Land Bank.
• The County Land Bank was required to reissue the RFP for stabilization due to feedback and concerns raised by the State of Michigan Land Bank.
• This reissuance has delayed stabilization work, pushing the timeline back to January.
• The Chamber is actively engaging with the developer to ensure that MEDC funds remain secure despite delays in the Land Bank's stabilization efforts.

Rengo Oil Building - 518 First Street

Demolition and redevelopment of up to 13 family-oriented housing units.

• The property has successfully completed its second phase of the environmental study. This study has delayed the demolition of the existing structure on the property. 
• A Request For Proposal (RFP) will be released for demolition from the County Land Bank.
• The Chamber is currently in conversations with the developer about starting the post-demolition development that will take place on the property. 

Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP)

State Funds for preparing sites for development.

• Networks Northwest secured grant funds through Michigan’s SOAR initiative to expand investment-ready sites.
• The Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce was awarded funds to support pre-development activities, such as demolition, engineering and design plans, and site assessments. 
• Nine potential sites in Manistee County have been identified for these funds, and property owners are being contacted to prioritize sites most likely to benefit. 
• During Q4, in conversation with engineering consultants, it was determined that Phase I and II environmental assessments would provide the greatest impact, helping sites become more marketable and development-ready within the current budget.

Downtown Streetscape Redesign 

City of Manistee Downtown Streetscape redesign.

• Finalized renderings from Rightside Design have been reviewed by Spicer Group Inc. to ensure engineering feasibility and have been used to draft cost estimates for the design elements. 
• The Streetscape Ad Hoc Committee convened to review and discuss these estimates. During this meeting, the project scope and materiality to be used were discussed in depth. 
• The next step is for Spicer Group Inc. to develop engineering drawings based on the selected design and project scope. These engineering drawings are a crucial step before construction can begin.

Redevelopment Ready Community Recertification  

A program that makes community development ready. 

• The City of Manistee is actively leveraging MEDC’s Redevelopment Ready Community program, securing funding to drive redevelopment projects and boost local growth.
• By streamlining development processes, the program positions the City as ‘development ready,’ making it easier and faster for projects to move forward.
• Currently, the Chamber is playing a key role in supporting the City's recertification. Due on January 31st, 2025, there are 14 remaining tasks that must be completed for the City of Manistee to be recertified. 

The Old Douglas Valley Tasting Room - 431 River Street 

Love Wines LLC.

• 431 River Street has been up for rent for the last several months. 
• The Chamber worked with the property owner to identify and connect several businesses in the region to consider expanding to Manistee.
• Love Wines LLC from Ludington expressed interest and will now be opening a tasting room in this location. Operatations will start in the Spring. 
• In December, Love Wines LLC received the necessary local government approval for an off-premise tasting room liquor license from the City of Manistee. 

The Old Manistee Beverage - 401 River Street

Vacant downtown building/New Business. 

• The property was vacant throughout the summer, awaiting roof construction funded through the Manistee County Land Bank's ‘Blight Elimination & Stabilization’ program, supported by the State Land Bank Authority. 
• Construction of the roof project began in December and has been completed. 
• A new tenant has been secured: Lindabela, a boutique store expanding from Pentwater.
• The Chamber is maintaining contact with both the property owner and the new business to ensure it opens smoothly. 

Norman Township Housing Project

25+ unit housing project.

• The Chamber has engaged a developer who is interested in developing a piece of KND school property in Norman Township.
• Over December, the Chamber connected with the IDC and the Office of Rural Prosperity to find additional funding opportunities for upfront site readiness costs. 
• The developer is attempting to lower upfront costs to lower rent. Unfortunately, funding options are limited. 
• For the KND school district to be on board with the project, rents must be low enough for new teachers to afford them. 
• The Chamber continues working with Housing North and the developer to find a path forward.

Childcare Operator 

Potential Childcare Operator, which would provide 100 slots.

• In November, The Chamber engaged a potential Childcare operator in discussions of expanding their business to Manistee County
• This operator visited in November and looked at three potential sites. While none of these sites worked out, the Chamber is continuing to look for possible opportunities and partnerships that may allow the Childcare operator a viable space.
• Keeping this childcare operator engaged in Manistee County is critical through the beginning of 2025. 

Housing Related-Contacts 

• The Chamber continues to have discussions with four housing developers interested in Manistee County.
• Property identification has been key, with multiple connections made with property owners to gauge interest in selling or developing their properties. 
• The Chamber met with five companies to discuss the potential for larger-scale housing projects. 

Discussions on retention, new businesses, and expansion were provided to companies, including:

• Iron Fish Distillery
• Thoroughbred Boat Company
• Johnson Sign Company
• Piping Plover
• Third Coast Boutique
• Five Star Realtors
• M R Products
• Golden Stag
• 44 86 Holdings LLC
• Pomeroy Floral Design

Some examples of activities done to retain and expand businesses were connecting businesses to affordable capital and helping businesses navigate permitting and approval processes. 

Paul Cova, Packaging Corporation of America

Jeff Dontz, Manistee County

Bill Gambill, City of Manistee

Carmen Kott, Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce

Sammie Lukaskiewicz, Manistee County Tourism Authority

Eugene Magnuson, Little River Holdings, LLC

Dennis McCarthy, Blarney Castle Oil & Propane

Kelly Tomaszewski, Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital

Scott Ward, West Shore Community College/IDC