Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Trenton DDA reports fully allocated downtown grant budget, lays out summer events and Rotary Park progress
Summary
Trenton DDA Director Angelia told the council the DDA fully allocated its downtown grant budget for FY2025–26, described business improvement grants and merchant promotions, announced a Michigan Arts and Culture experience grant for the September 19, 2026 art festival, and reported progress on Rotary Park and the West Jefferson streetscape study.
Angelia, Trenton’s DDA director, briefed the council on the DDA’s second informational meeting for fiscal year 2025–26, reporting that the DDA fully allocated its downtown grant budget and summarizing programs, grant awards and events from January–May 2026.
She described the business improvement grant (covers up to $50,000 and 50% of exterior improvements) and said one business completed its project at 2515 West Jefferson with a grant for just under $9,000. Angelia said the board approved three other applications: one for about $25,000 (2710 West Jefferson), one for just over $40,000 (2349 West Jefferson) and one for just over $10,000 (22644 West Jefferson). She told the council this is the first year the DDA fully allocated its grant budget and said downtown dollars issued thus far flow directly to the local economy.
The director detailed outreach and marketing programs: 18 merchants participated in promotions, the DDA conducted four free business spotlights (print, Facebook and a Down River News Network video), and it contracted with Placer AI to provide free market reports to businesses and potential developers. Angelia urged businesses to sign up for these services.
On events, Angelia highlighted the Winterfest ice sculptures and other seasonal promotions and said the DDA will host a kid zone at the Trenton Farmers Market; she invited residents to a July 9 kids activity (2–6 p.m. at Elm and West Jefferson parking lot). She also announced the DDA received an experience grant from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council for just under $6,500 to support a mural projection and light show at the September 19, 2026 Trenton Art Festival.
On capital projects, Angelia said final landscaping and boardwalk work are underway at Rotary Park and expressed hope to report the project completed at the next informational meeting. She also said nine TIF development-area advisory council members were appointed and will review the TIF/development plan, and the West Jefferson streetscape study should be completed by the end of the summer.
Council members thanked Angelia and asked whether downtown dollars met expectations; she said the program met or nearly exceeded expectations and expressed optimism for future growth.
