MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) recognized Meridian Township’s accomplishment as the 29th community and as the first Township in Michigan to be certified under the statewide Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) Program at a ceremony today at Elevation Apartments Okemos.

“What this means for Meridian is that we will have more access to grants and programs to help with developers develop within the Township in a very meaningful and logical way to help build the Township without changing the Township,” said Ronald J. Styka, Meridian Township Supervisor.

By being Redevelopment Ready Certified, Meridian Township and developers can now compete for state funded grants and loans for which they otherwise wouldn’t be eligible for.

With the certification, Meridian Township plans to highlight their three Potential Intensity Change Areas (PICAS) for developers to bring additional revenue and revitalize Township downtown and village districts.

“This was a collaboration of a great team who truly helped the project along. Now that we are certified, the work begins to redevelop our PICA areas, our corridor, our mall and other business districts,” said Chris Buck, Meridian Township Economic Development Director. “The residents in our Prime Community deserve more from our core areas and I’m confident we can deliver.”

Redevelopment Ready Communities is a voluntary, no cost program through MEDC that assists local municipalities in establishing a sound foundation for redevelopment and investment to occur in their communities.