Randy Scholz

The 2022-2027 Master Plan for the City of Ishpeming serves as a comprehensive guide for the municipality's future growth, development, and physical improvements. It outlines strategic priorities for population growth and retention, economic development and diversification, and improving housing and neighborhood quality. The plan also emphasizes enhancing the quality of life through walkability and local food access, revitalizing the downtown, managing infrastructure, and implementing modern land use and zoning practices to build a sustainable and thriving community that preserves its unique character and natural assets.

This document provides a summary of key updates to the City of Ishpeming's Master Plan, reflecting current conditions, community priorities, and housing needs. The updates encompass a new housing analysis, refined future land use categories, modernized zoning standards and implementation tools, reinforced coordination of infrastructure and services with growth, and updated community priorities emphasizing housing, reinvestment, and long-term sustainability.

This implementation strategy outlines detailed action items for the City of Ishpeming across multiple strategic areas. Key priorities include enhancing community well-being and engagement through improved housing, technology, and youth/senior programs; fostering economic growth via zoning review, innovation centers, tourism, and marketing; ensuring environmental sustainability through renewable energy, stormwater management, and natural resource preservation; developing housing and neighborhoods by addressing blight, promoting diverse housing options, and encouraging infill; revitalizing downtown through placemaking and marketing; maintaining and improving infrastructure; and strategically managing land use for balanced development and preservation.

This document outlines the City of Ishpeming's Marketing & Branding Strategy, which aims to develop a powerful visual community brand. The strategy seeks to position Ishpeming as a regional and state leader for outdoor activities, business prospects, and housing opportunities. Key components include defining brand qualities, utilizing community engagement and input, establishing a brand platform, and executing an integrated marketing strategy with pillars such as digital presence enhancement, partnership expansion, community event growth, and marketing redevelopment sites. The overall goal is to foster economic prosperity and community pride.

The proposed budget for 2026 focuses on making the biggest impact on residents' lives and ensuring sustainability. Key points include addressing financial issues, managing rising costs, and considering long-term financial health. The General Fund aims for sustainability by curbing health insurance costs and identifying new revenue sources. The Major and Local Streets funds depend on state revenue and grants for street repairs. The DDA budget includes increased funding for small business assistance. The Public Improvement Fund allocates funds for storm sewer repairs, a new library heating system, and blight elimination. The Sewer and Water funds are outperforming metered sales projections due to metering updates and revised billing practices. The Garbage and Recycle fund reflects inflationary cost increases, while the Police and Fire Retirement fund benefits from market appreciation. Capital improvement requests from various departments are also reflected in the budget.