UPDATE: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Recently Meridian Township became home to some new businesses. With these establishments popping up in the area it leaves many wondering, why Meridian Township?

Some new additions to the Haslett Village Square are the Haslett Health Mart Pharmacy, and the Kiebler-McCoy Office of Nustar Insurance. Both of these additions coming shortly after Famous Taco joined the square. A third newcomer is an Ulta Makeup store in the Meridian Towne Center. Everyone knows business is coming, buy why?

"Well I don't know if there's one single reason but there's probably several. One of them is proximity to MSU and the student population there. Another one is the accessibility to highways and infrastructure in the area." - Rick Brown, Associate Planner & Economic Development Specialist, Meridian Township

Brown also explains that Meridian Township is already home to many retail businesses. This can influence business decisions greatly as new business wants to come where they know people will keep them open. Some other factors involved in business coming to Meridian Township are the relatively high income and education levels.

While the trend of new business to Meridian Township is on the rise, Brown also mentions that this trend does not fluctuate much at all.

"It hasn't been rapid necessarily, but slow and steady and that can tend to be more stable that way versus sharp ups and downs." - Rick Brown, Associate Planner & Economic Development Specialist, Meridian Township

Currently Meridian Township does not offer any monetary incentives for opening a business but there are some talks about offering something like that in the future. Incentives like tax abatement's may one day be a possibility within the township. Another incentive that can also play a large role is when the township has a liquor license available.

Another new business coming to the township is the Walgreen's on the corner of Okemos and Grand River. Construction is under way and the store should be open for business soon.

ORIGINAL STORY: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Check out Meridian Magazine on Monday the 25th to see what new businesses are coming to the Township!