Over 40 people took part in at least some of this year’s Oceana County Developer’s Day sponsored by the Oceana County Economic Alliance (OCEA), Friday, Sept. 26.
“More than half of the individuals on the full-day tour were not from Oceana County but came to see the opportunities to develop industrial, residential, and downtown mixed-use projects,” Curtis Burdette, executive director of OCEA, said.
Highlights included visits to seven different sites across Oceana County with a variety of projects underway or opportunities available:
• In Rothbury, Valley City Metals is currently demolishing the oldest section of the facility with plans for developing a community center and outdoor community space at the site.
• In Shelby the tour focused on opportunities for housing developments on the edge of town, as well as mixed use downtown. The group also stopped to see Shelby Township Community Park and Getty Park, followed by a tour of two houses in the Shelby Acres subdivision, where more of the history behind the project was shared.
• In Walkerville, the KwikMart’s co-owner Danielle Veining hosted a tour of their new convenience store under construction. When complete, this site will offer a seating area, commercial kitchen, ice cream shop and walk-in beer cave.
• In Hart, city council member Catalina Burillo gave background on the former CERES Farm Co-op site and the interest in finding a developer who can support a transformational project in the heart of downtown Hart. The group also toured the former Gale’s IGA grocery store where West Shore Community College plans to open an Oceana County satellite campus.
• In Pentwater, Village Manager Toby Van Ess and Township Supervisor Lynne Cavazos shared some of the ideas village leaders have for how properties in downtown Pentwater and the township could be developed.
“It is amazing how business leaders are investing in the county,” Burdette concluded. “From private developers and business leaders to government leaders and a diverse group of individuals, many people are interested in supporting development in Oceana County.”
