07/20/2026 Downtown Development Authority Meeting

The City of Cedar Springs Downtown Development Authority (DDA) held a meeting on July 20, 2026, focusing primarily on downtown redevelopment initiatives and grant programs to stimulate economic growth. Key procurement-related discussions included the introduction of a grant program offering a 50% match up to $30,000 to encourage redevelopment projects that increase taxable value and remove underutilized structures. The grant application process, scoring criteria, and eligibility requirements were detailed, with emphasis on demolition timelines and redevelopment completion within 24 months. The board also discussed marketing and event funding, including a budget allocation of $33,000 for marketing efforts such as radio ads and crosswalk banners to promote downtown events and businesses. Additionally, the meeting covered the potential replacement and repair of downtown trash receptacles, and the importance of collecting post-event data to assess economic impact. No specific contract awards or vendor selections were mentioned, but the meeting set the framework for future procurement activities related to downtown development and marketing.