During a recent government meeting, local entrepreneur Mark Iovasca presented plans for a new luxury dog resort, aiming to revitalize a vacant building that has been unoccupied since March 2020. Iovasca shared his personal journey, detailing the challenges he faced after losing his job in 2019 and subsequently closing his staffing agency due to the pandemic. He expressed gratitude for the support of his family, particularly his wife, who has joined him in this new venture.

The proposed dog resort, which will be a franchise of K9 Resorts, is designed to cater to pet owners in the community, offering services such as daycare for pets while owners shop nearby. Iovasca emphasized the importance of community engagement and job creation, noting that the business could provide employment opportunities for local residents, including his own children.

The building, previously a TGI Fridays, will undergo significant renovations while maintaining its exterior structure. Iovasca assured the commission that he has conducted thorough market research to ensure the viability of the business model. The proposal received positive feedback from the commissioners, who recognized the potential benefits to the community, including addressing the needs of pet owners and enhancing local business offerings.

The commission unanimously approved the motion to rezone the property for the new business, marking a significant step towards its establishment. The meeting also included discussions on other local projects, such as parking lot improvements for the Kentwood Justice Center and a contract for Brownfield Plan Technical Assistance, both of which were approved without opposition.