Highland DDA and Businesses Connect at Annual Roundtable
(Crystal A. Proxmire, March 5, 2024)
Highland, MI – There are over 300 businesses located in Downtown Highland, which includes the historic Highland Station area, as wall as those along M-59.
To help these businesses prosper, there is the Downtown Development Authority, which held it’s annual Business Roundtable Feb. 28 at Huron Valley Council for the Arts. The event gave business owners a chance to learn about the DDA, and to network with fellow entrepreneurs and managers in the area.
Highland DDA is funded by a tax capture, which means that a portion of property taxes in their designated area are ear-marked for the program, rather than being sent to other taxing authorities such as Oakland County. This does not increase taxes, it simply sets aside a portion that property owners would already be paying, to be used for DDA activities, with the goal of a vibrant community.
Downtown Highland is part of the Main Street Oakland County program, and is accredited by Main Street America. As part of these programs, they follow the “Main Street Four Point Approach” which is a time-tested formula for success.
There are committees that business owners and other community members can volunteer for, in line with this approach.
The Design Committee is tasked with creating an inviting atmosphere for all, creating people-centered spaces, and celebrating historic charm.
The Economic Vitality Committee provides resources and education to businesses, and strives to create a strong economic base.
The Organization Committee focuses on leadership, community engagement, and relationships with other organizations.
And the Promotions Committee helps market district assets and unique features.
Melissa “Missy” Dashevich is the Director of the DDA. She works with a board full of business owners and interested residents, as well as a small army of volunteers to pull off a bunch of projects and events throughout the year. “We’re all in this together,” Dashevich said. “The volunteers are very important. We’re very volunteer driven. We come out and have a lot of fun.”
She and Board Member Cassie Blascyk presented a list of accomplishments from the preceding year, including new signage along Milford Road, the creation of an adopt a garden program, offering social media video grants, facade grants, and signage grants to help businesses make a better first impression.
There were also a number of events, including the Highland Farmers Market, Sounds Like Summer Concert Series, Summer Sidewalk Sales, Founders DAy Parade and Festival, Shop Small Saturday, Spring Ladies Day Out, Holiday Ladies Night Out, Tree Lighting and Kris Kringle Market, Downtown Days Food Event and Haunted Highland which placed skeletons around town to be decorated by local groups and businesses.
Another grand accomplishment was the production and distribution of a Shopping and Dining Guide featuring businesses in the district.
They also began the process for researching options for boardwalk replacements and sidewalk connectivity, particularly near the Colasanti’s Market property. The DDA also has been taking part in Highland Township’s Master Planning process, giving a voice to the interests of businesses in the area.
The women also shared ways that businesses could take part in promotion. There are a number of sponsorship opportunities through the year for various events and projects. There are also “swag bags” that are put together to be given to new residents. About 30 per month are distributed. There’s also a street light banner program, where a business can be featured on a light where 17,000 drivers pass by on average each day.
Another great addition to the DDA toolbox is working with Oakland Thrive, a nonprofit aiming to help small businesses throughout the county. Each region of the county has a representative, and for Highland that’s Brian Becker.
“Our primary task is to work with small businesses and help them in any way we can,” Becker said. His job is to connect entrepreneurs with resources like grants and loans, and educational opportunities. There are in person and virtual classes on a variety of topics including social media, creating a business plan, potential business structures, taxes and more.
Coming up for 2024 is a healthy lineup of events, starting with Ladies Day Out on April 27.
For the full list of events and more information on Downtown Highland, visit https://www.highlanddda.com/
