By By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
In August, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) announced that Niles would be one of four communities taking part in a pilot Cultural Economic Development Program intended to "identify, strengthen, and strategically employ (Niles') cultural assets for economic development" through each communities individual Cultural Economic Plan.
Through visits from a consultant, assigned to the Niles by the Michigan Department of History Arts and Libraries, Craig Dreeszen, principal in the firm Dreeszen &Associates, the process of evaluating the opportunities available to the city within its own streets will begin.
The program and resulting plan, said Program Manager and Niles Main Street's Lisa Croteau, "is a tool that we'll be able to use – and the end result will be what we'll make of it."
The process will launch Tuesday, Feb. 10 with a public meeting being held from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at 210 E. Main St., on the second floor. At that meeting, Dreeszen will be introduced and the brainstorming will begin.
Croteau and others involved with the program encourage anyone with interests in the city's cultural sector and economy to attend the meeting.
"And if they can't make it," Croteau said, "they can call me."
The idea is to bring as many minds together to come up with ideas of the kinds of developments, business and cultural events Niles could be home to – among other aspects of the city's area of opportunity for growth.
The goal, Croteau said, is to get "as broad a view of our community with as many stakeholders' involvement in the process." And the stakeholders in this case, she said, include anyone with an interest in seeing the city grow.
Planning will produce an inventory of Niles arts, cultural, heritage resources and an assessment of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Cultural resources are to be thought of broadly, including creative workers, nonprofit cultural organizations, creative businesses, heritage trails, public art, public spaces, arts and entertainment venues, historic places, distinctive neighborhoods, festivals, recreation venues, arts educators, youth organizations, foundations, and other support systems.
Planning will conclude with a Cultural Economic Development (CED) Plan. The CED plan documents strategies and specific action steps that expand our economic base by leveraging cultural assets and strengthening partnerships among civic, cultural, business, and economic development organizations.
Croteau said a committee is already assembled, over 15 estimated members. And she said everyone involved would work to create "a real implementable program."
But, she added, the public will play an ultimately, vital role in the program's success. "As with any plan, it's not a magic wand," she said. "It's not going to do anything if we don't make it."
In looking at businesses, Croteau said, the plan is to help "capitalize on what we have here and hoping to grown from that…
"People that have a distinct interest in downtown," should attend the meeting, she added.
The announcement of Niles' inclusion in the project last summer came about just before the nation's economy took a drastic plunge. Asked if there are concerns surrounding developing new programs or projects that will ultimately not be able to find funding – Croteau said that working through the economic crisis and planning for those conditions are all part of the process.
In the announcement, Croteau said Niles' cultural economy consists of creative individuals, nonprofits, small businesses, and industries that draw on creativity to create wealth and jobs through generation of ideas, products and services. This cultural or creative sector includes four interrelated clusters that create jobs and wealth and are integral to our economy and quality of life.
Those who can not attend the meeting on Feb. 10 but wish to help or suggest ideas can contact Croteau, at 687-4332 or by email at nilesmainstreet@sbcglobal.net.