Welcome to the home page of the Clinton Township Downtown Development Authority - a business district filled with history, tradition, and an exciting outlook for the future!

 

DDA moves to brand Gratiot corridor

Every evening local business owners and area residents are reminded that the Gratiot corridor in Clinton Township now has a special brightness about it.  Since October of 2011 118 LED light poles grace the 2 1/2 mile long corridor from 14 Mile Road to north of Metropolitan Parkway.

The Gratiot Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is now looking to further enhance the area by building on its branding effort that includes the light poles themselves.  You have probably noticed the banner arms recently installed by DTE on the light poles.  In the near future these arms will carry DDA banners that let shoppers know they have entered a very special commercial district.

Branding the area under the DDA is one way to attract the attention of consumers by letting them know that local business and the community are investing and improving the area.  The DDA knows it's a tough, competitive business environment out there.  Other area corridors like M-59 and Gratiot Avenue north and south of the township are working hard to pull customers to their doors.

The DDA doesn't want consumers to forget about Clinton Township's portion of Gratiot.  And you are invited to help.  DDA meetings are held on 7:30 a.m. on the second Wednesday of every month at the Baker College Campus at 15 Mile Road and Kelly.  You are invited to attend.  For more information contact DDA Liaisons Joe Peruzzi at 586-723-8045 or Carlo Santia at 586-723-8083.

DTE turns on the power to Gratiot LED lights   

  More than 50 representatives from Gratiot DDA businesses, DTE-Energy, and the Charter Township of Clinton officially marked the completion of the long- awaited LED lighting project on Gratiot.  The special meeting was held at Cabbo Wabbo’s Sunset Grille above in the Dimitri’s Restaurant on Gratiot.  Attendees saw see the lights switch on during the event.

  The DDA’s more than 300 businesses agreed to a special assessment lighting district almost three years ago that enabled the project to move ahead.  DTE Energy is providing a turn-key system including installation, energy delivery and all ongoing maintenance.

   Township Supervisor Robert Cannon noted the Gratiot corridor’s progress made in the almost 10 years since the DDA was established.

   “In those early years the best we could do was water the flowers at 14 Mile Road and Gratiot using garden hoses from the Alibi Inn,” he said.   “Since then we have established perennial gardens, installed an electronic welcome sign, dramatically improved the ongoing maintenance of the median, and now completed our lighting project.  We think all of this has shown the township’s commitment to the area, and that commitment is now paying off with the ongoing business redevelopment taking place on the Gratiot corridor.”

   Gratiot, along with M-59, are the township’s longest business corridors that have continued to grow despite the weak economy.

  Clinton Township Supervisor Robert Cannon, photo on left, and DTE's Community Lighting Manager Ken Henderson, photo on right, were on hand to explain the development of the LED lighting project.

“This is a new technology us and we are pleased the DDA has chosen us to build and maintain the project,” said DTE’s Community Lighting Manager Ed Henderson.  “The lights will go a long way toward welcoming new customers to your businesses because safety is a major concern for shoppers,” he said.  “The lights represent the most advanced technology on the market today.  Built by Cooper Lighting, the arrays will use about one-third the energy consumed by traditional street lighting.  Maintenance costs will be reduced by more than 50 percent.” 

   The $966,000 project was paid for by the DDA and a $223,000 Federal energy conservation grant.  The    energy and maintenance costs will be shared by the DDA and businesses, making the addition of the LED lights a great value.

 County Executive Mark Hackel Addresses DDA

New Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said one of his main objectives will be to unite County government and businesses to better grow jobs and prosperity in Macomb County.  Speaking before members of the DDA at its annual Lighting the Way informational breakfast, Hackel said that all too often the county has focused on what divides the community as opposed to bringing the community together.

He noted that over 2/3rds of the Defense contracts awarded in Michigan go to firms in the Van Dyke corridor.  He said the county aims to help expand the defense corridor to include businesses throughout the county, including Clinton Township.

 Check out Events on this website for upcoming Gratiot area events and DDA sponsorship activities

 What a deal thanks to the Clinton Township Gratiot Downtown Development Authority

DDA and the Macomb Daily team up on $99 Gatefold Ad campaign 

Contact Mary Ellen Zander at the Macomb Daily (586-783-0339) if your business is interested in advertising on the front page of the newspaper for only $99.

The Clinton Township Gratiot Downtown Development Authority and the Macomb Daily now offer an incredible opportunity to tell customers about your business and product offerings.  Every month for the next year the Macomb Daily will offer DDA advertisers up to a two inch deep ad on the front page "gatefold" of the Macomb Daily for less than $99.