COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – It was Coldwater’s turn to have an economic development summit on Wednesday after three others were held in Branch County earlier this summer.
Joe Borgstrom from Place and Main Advisors of East Lansing facilitated the two hour gathering after his firm contracted with the Branch County Economic Growth Alliance so that economic development and community marketing strategies could be developed.
Audience members felt Coldwater’s strength was its location as it relates to the highway system. Its weakness was the lack of retail stores in the downtown area but reinvesting in the downtown area was Coldwater’s best opportunity.
They felt the biggest threat to Coldwater was the drug problem. It was felt the properties that provided the best opportunities were Willowbrook Plaza, Fairfield Plaza and the old Taylor Building.
The summits were held to help Coldwater, Bronson, Union City and Quincy become more qualified for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Redevelopment Ready Communities program.
