THE CEO INTERVIEW www.ceotodaymagazine.com 15 Economic Development Council “Building Improvement” grant program which provides matching grants to reimburse commercial property owners or business operators for eligible enhancements made to their properties. There are 10 different categories of improvements that are eligible for consideration as part of this grant program that include: Façade Enhancements, Interior Building Renovations, Landscaping, Lighting, Parking Areas and Driveways, Pedestrian Amenities, Signage, Code Compliance, Demolition and Public Art Installation. Totals To Date (Since Fall 2019): • Reinvestment Grants Awarded: 26 • Reinvestment Grants Provided by the City of Saginaw: $106,224 • Building Improvements Made by the Business Owner: $425,113 • Return on City of Saginaw’s Investments: 400% What are your goals for its future? The City of Saginaw Economic Development Department published an online Eat and Play Survey asking residents, business partners, and community stakeholders for feedback on their consumer patterns, requested retailers, and to provide additional comments that could be helpful to the recruitment operations of the city. 1,089 individual respondents provided information via the survey with 346 additional comments provided for consideration. The Eat & Play Survey was critical to the future development planning for the city because the comments and suggestions came directly from our stakeholders - our residents. They told us exactly what they wanted to see in their community and it gave us direction. We currently have four large mixed-use developments being constructed, including restaurants, retail, entertainment and residential buildings (single-family homes, multifamily housing, age restricted-senior living). Our focus has been on new development, business retention/expansion and the redevelopment of our mature areas of town - taking care of what we have. What do you hope your legacy will be? I hope to be known as someone who partnered with our residents, built relationships with the businesses in the area and provided our community with everything they’d like to see in Saginaw.
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