Kalamazoo City Commission - Committee of the Whole - March 2, 2026 Committee of the Whole Meeting

Updated about 10 hours ago

In the Kalamazoo City Commission meeting titled 'Kalamazoo City Economic Development Update,' the commission discusses various initiatives and updates related to economic development within the city. Economic Development Manager Bobby Boyd provides a comprehensive update on the city's economic development strategy, highlighting key pillars such as fostering a business-friendly environment, strengthening community connections, and improving the downtown experience. The meeting also includes a presentation by Rebecca Collette on the Social Equity Cannabis Chamber, emphasizing workforce development and community reinvestment. Commissioners engage in discussions about supporting local businesses, especially those in construction zones, and the need for policies to ensure economic benefits reach marginalized communities. The meeting concludes with a closed session to discuss attorney-client privileged communication.

Chapters

Roll Call (00:00:28)
Clerk Burling called the roll. Various commissioners were present including Hess, Hoffman, Slabby, Wilson, Vice Mayor Duncan, and Mayor Anderson.

Clerk Burling called the roll to establish attendance. Commissioner Hess, Commissioner Hoffman, Commissioner Slabby, Commissioner Wilson, Vice Mayor Duncan, and Mayor Anderson were all present. Commissioner Cradle was absent.
Motion to Excuse Commissioner (00:00:45)
A motion was made and passed to excuse Commissioner Cradle. The motion was made by Commissioner Hess and supported by Vice Mayor Duncan.

Clerk Burling requested a motion to excuse Commissioner Cradle. Commissioner Hess moved the motion, which was seconded by Vice Mayor Duncan. The motion passed unanimously with all in favor.
Public Comments (00:01:04)
Public comments were opened for the committee of the whole meeting. Edward Nickerson expressed concerns about parking enforcement and its impact on people with disabilities.

Public comments were invited for the committee of the whole meeting, with each speaker allotted two minutes. Edward Nickerson, a resident of Kalamazoo, spoke about an encounter with a parking enforcement officer. He described his difficulty in paying for parking due to his disability and criticized the parking system's impact on businesses and residents.
Economic Development Division Strategy Update (00:03:17)
Manager Hankins and Supervisor Bobby Boyd presented an update on the Economic Development Division's strategy, focusing on business environment, neighborhoods, downtown experience, and growth.

Manager Hankins introduced Bobby Boyd and the economic development team, who provided a comprehensive update on the division's strategy. The update covered four strategic pillars: fostering the business environment, strengthening neighborhoods and community connections, improving the downtown experience, and advancing conditions for growth. Various initiatives and achievements were discussed, including streamlined permits, business attraction campaigns, neighborhood outreach, a shop local e-commerce site, downtown branding, and major project facilitation.
Call to Order (00:26:06)
Meeting called to order; introductory remarks and agenda overview.

The meeting was officially called to order, and the agenda for the session was outlined with introductory remarks setting the stage for the topics to be discussed.
Presentation on Grants to Microenterprise Businesses (00:26:09)
Discussion on grants to microenterprise businesses in Kalamazoo, focusing on demographics and impact.

A detailed presentation was given on the grants provided to microenterprise businesses within the city of Kalamazoo. The discussion included the demographic breakdown of grant recipients by race, ethnicity, and gender over the past four to five years. Emphasis was placed on support for women and shared prosperity neighborhoods. The presentation highlighted the impact of grants on service-based businesses and the conditions for eligibility, such as being an LLC for at least one year. The grants aim to support businesses in their first three to five years, a critical period for growth.
Cannabis Social Equity Program Update (00:36:07)
Overview of the Cannabis Social Equity Program and its impact on community and economic development.

Rebecca Collette, leader of the cannabis social equity chamber, presented an update on the city's cannabis social equity program. The program aims to promote participation in the cannabis industry by those impacted by prohibition and enforcement, focusing on workforce training, education, and community reinvestment. Over the last two years, the chamber has conducted numerous workshops and events, built partnerships with educational institutions, and emphasized economic mobility through job creation and community investment. The program also addresses ownership barriers in marginalized communities.
Economic Development Division Initiatives (00:46:07)
Update on economic development initiatives, including PR campaigns and business support programs.

The Economic Development Division provided an update on various initiatives, such as the rollout of a PR campaign to promote business traction across the city's corridors. The division is also working on downtown brand development and marketing strategies. Other initiatives include ambassador expansion and hosting industry conferences to support local businesses. The division highlighted its efforts to provide resources and support to businesses facing challenges such as construction impacts, emphasizing proactive communication and marketing strategies.
Questions and Comments from Commissioners (00:54:00)
Commissioners' questions on support for emerging entrepreneurs and social equity in cannabis industry.

Commissioners raised questions about support for emerging entrepreneurs, particularly in marginalized communities, and the city's efforts to promote ownership in the cannabis industry. The discussion covered micro grants for community members entering the cannabis industry and the importance of increasing ownership among marginalized groups. The Economic Development Division emphasized its reliance on community partners to support entrepreneurship while avoiding duplication of efforts.
Adjournment (00:56:28)
The meeting was adjourned.

The meeting concluded with a brief adjournment, wrapping up the discussions and thanking participants for their contributions.
Discussion on Economic Vibrancy and Downtown Development (00:56:58)
The discussion focused on the collaboration with Discover Kalamazoo to enhance the city's economic vibrancy and downtown development.

The meeting included a discussion on the importance of having a thriving and vibrant downtown area in Kalamazoo. The speaker highlighted efforts to collaborate with partners like Discover Kalamazoo to avoid duplicating efforts and to support each other's work. The aim is to promote economic vibrancy by working together with various organizations and focusing on city-specific initiatives without overlapping efforts.
Highlighting the Kalamazoo River and Recreational Opportunities (00:59:01)
Opportunities to highlight and clean the Kalamazoo River were discussed, along with recreational needs like ice sheets.

The speaker expressed excitement about upcoming plans to highlight and clean the Kalamazoo River, which is considered an integral part of the city. Additionally, there was a discussion on the need for more recreational facilities, such as ice sheets, to support local recreation and competition.
North Side Economic Development and Liquor Store Issues (01:00:10)
Concerns were raised about economic development on the north side and the prevalence of liquor stores.

Commissioner Hoffman raised concerns about economic development on the north side of Kalamazoo, noting the high number of liquor stores and the lack of local ownership. Discussions included ensuring economic opportunities for local residents and addressing zoning and policy issues related to liquor licenses and grocery stores.
Home-based Daycare Investments and Challenges (01:07:24)
Progress and challenges in investing in home-based daycares were discussed, including alignment with county initiatives.

Commissioner Bradel inquired about the progress of investing in home-based daycares, particularly in SPK neighborhoods. The response highlighted challenges such as startup growing pains and meeting state requirements. There was mention of potential alignment with county-level initiatives for early childcare.
Closed Session and Adjournment (01:09:14)
A closed session for attorney-client privileged communication was scheduled before the meeting adjourned.

The meeting concluded with the announcement of a closed session to discuss attorney-client privileged communication. It was noted that the meeting would not reconvene in public after the closed session, and the committee of the whole meeting was adjourned.