The Elk Rapids Downtown Development Authority (DDA) - in collaboration with the Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce - is kicking off a community listening campaign to learn about business and community development priorities within the Elk Rapids DDA district.

Businesses and community members are invited to provide input on current and future priorities for Elk Rapids. The process will include individual site visits and phone conversations between members of the DDA board and Elk Rapids businesses, an online survey available to all business and community stakeholders, and public meetings between the DDA and local government partners. The outreach is “intended to solicit an understanding of what business and community stakeholders believe is most important for Elk Rapids, now and in the future, and how the DDA can help implement this vision,” according to a DDA release.

“The DDA represents a diverse mix of businesses within five zones: the Traditional Downtown, Ames Street Corridor, US-31 Corridor, Industrial Park, and Waterfront,” says DDA Chair Jim Witte. “It’s really important that we hear from businesses and community members in each of these areas so that the DDA vision and goals reflect the priorities of every corner of our district.”

DDA board members will begin contacting Elk Rapids businesses in February to schedule site visits and phone calls. An online survey will follow in the spring. Business and community stakeholders are welcome to contact Witte at jwitte@elkrapids.org or 616-291-1713 with any questions.