MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - With more than 39,900 residents and a neighboring big 10 University Meridian township is attracting a lot of new businesses and investment.

This year alone, at least 10 businesses have held formal Grand Openings with the board of planning and development.

"Almost every couple of weeks I hear about somebody that's either about to come in or has come in," said Peter Menser, Associate Planner for Meridian Township.

Most of the businesses coming in have been retail, studio instruction, and other service based industries.

Most of the stores opening are smaller in space but there are a few big projects on the horizon such as a new hotel set to be built on the corner of Jolly and Okemos Roads.

Other local businesses that have been around are choosing to invest in the community and pump money into their brand.

Courtesy Ford is putting 1.2 million dollars into making a larger waiting area and renovating their facade.

The construction and renovations are estimated to begin late November and should be finished by March of 2015.