Staff announces April 22 Earth Day event and MEDC redevelopment training

Planning staff told the commission April 9 that Mount Pleasant will host an Earth Day celebration on April 22 from noon to 4 p.m. at Island Park (the farmers market pavilion), with food trucks, vendors focused on sustainability and resiliency, school group activities and family programs.

The staff member also announced a free Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) training provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, scheduled as weekly sessions beginning April 15 and running through May 20. Staff said the training is available to both staff and commissioners and noted Mount Pleasant was the first community in the MEDC region to receive RRC certification (2019) and was recertified last year. The RRC program was described as a tool that helps expedite administrative approvals and can make the city eligible for certain redevelopment grants.

The staff presentation included a brief reminder that being redevelopment‑ready supports quicker administrative approvals and access to targeted predevelopment and other funding opportunities; staff encouraged commissioners to attend the training sessions.