Joanne Williams
Editor

(Photo by Joanne Williams/TCJ – Bellevue High School seniors are invited to apply for the Downtown Development’s scholarship opportunity.)

Bellevue is one of 258 villages in the state of Michigan. 

Across the state’s 83 counties, small communities are organized into state or local entities. Townships and counties act in conjunction with state laws. Cities and most villages are “home rule,” meaning they can make their own rules as long as it is not prohibited by another law.

And then, in communities, there are any number of committees, commissions, boards, and trustees as well as non-government organizations, which include foundations, non-profits, service…you get the picture – there are a lot of folks and agencies out there trying to organize and better the place where they live.

Bellevue, Michigan, population 1,345, is knit together by schools, businesses, churches and many organizations that keep this community on the map.

One agency is the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). This organization is one choice a community can pursue to support downtowns, often the hubs of trade and refreshment.

Since, 2010 or so, a group of area business and government folks have regularly gathered to look at what’s happening in their downtown, and how they can support growth.

From civic events to construction and revitalization funding, this group, with the guidance of its members, keeps an eye on progress. The DDA’s mission statement reads, “The mission of the Bellevue Downtown Development Authority is to pursue the revitalization of a traditional, vibrant and attractive central business district that creates economic opportunities, promotes a unique identity, and enhances the future quality of life for both residents and visitors.” It is funded from a variety of sources, including Tax Increment Financing (TIF), which comes from a designated portion of property tax which must be reinvested in the community.

Current members of the Bellevue DDA include Chelsey Carpenter, Katrina Sparks, Nicole Roberts, Michelle Pennington, Mary Bartzen, Mandy Smith, Laurie Pfiester, Mindy Sparks and Jason Whitcomb, with Bob Toland as a consultant.

Recently most of the group gathered for a regular 8 a.m. meeting at the Village Hall. The agenda included a wrap-up of holiday activities, including the DDA’s annual holiday parade, holiday decorations, and continued work on making a downtown sound system to best represent the area. 

There have been technical issues with the system, Chairperson Chelsey Carpenter said. When the system is running smoothly, it will be used for downtown events, including those in Washington Park, as well as a background sound to the streets.

The big news for the group is a new senior scholarship, now available to any Bellevue high school senior, wherever they are attending classes (another district, homeschool, etc.).

“We were looking for a new way for the DDA to become part of the community,” said Board member Mandy Smith.

Seniors have until March 31 to fill out an application, and the DDA hopes to announce the winner at spring school assemblies. 

The scholarship award is $1,000. Applications are asked to write a 500-750 word essay on “What do you think our community (Bellevue) needs to form its next generation of business owners?”, as well as a personal statement. 

The Bellevue DDA has a Facebook page and may be contacted at bellevuemichiganDDA@gmail.com.