Community Development

The Community Development mission is to plan for and coordinate growth, redevelopment, economic development, and wise and effective use of Oscoda Township’s natural and human resources to create a strong, safe and pleasant community in which to live, work, play and relax in.

Community Development oversees the Economic Development and Downtown Development Authority (DDA) functions. It manages and implements grants, such as the Federal Community Development Block Grant Program, DDA Façade Grant and other funding sources to provide assistance and economic opportunities in the business community and works to implement development partnerships within the private sector.

Community Development oversees the properties owned and operated by the Charter Township of Oscoda on the Wurtsmith District. To find a current list of buildings and properties available for sale by the Township please see our Available Property List and Map.

Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm

Phone (908)739-6999 Fax (989)739-0034

Staff

Ann Richards, Community Development Coordinator
Email ddadirector@oscodatwp.com

Mary Murawa, Administrative Assistant
Email oedadmin@oscodatwp.com

The Oscoda Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is an independent municipal corporation created pursuant to State Statute (Act 197) with its membership being appointed by the Charter Township of Oscoda Board of Trustees. Its operations are also governed by the Board of Trustees, to some extent, through the approval of the Tax Increment Finance and Development Plan (TIF/DP). The Oscoda Township DDA was created in September of 1984 through the adoption of Ordinance No. 166 by the Board of Trustees. The boundaries of the Downtown Development District consist of the downtown area and commercial corridor from Division Street along US-23 to the Glens Market shopping area and F-41 to Cedar Lake Road. The DDA has identified specific sources of funding to finance the implementation of a comprehensive plan for regulatory changes, capital improvement, financial assistance, marketing and promotion efforts, security enhancement and special projects within the Oscoda Township DDA Development Area.

Funding Mechanisms

A TIF collects all of the real and personal taxes paid in its development district above the base amount of the total value at the time of the creation of the TIF (no school taxes are captured). The DDA collects all of the new and additional taxes resulting from new construction and other increases in taxable value. In 1989 the DDA also established its development plan. This plan has undergone many revisions with the most recent (Document #4) being adopted by the Township Board in November 2008.

TIF Projects Completed and Underway:

• Dwight Street Streetscape Improvements (completed)
• Glen’s Driveway Access Project (completed)
• East & West River Road Improvement Projects (completed)
• Lead role in implementation of Blueprints 2007 (underway)
• Wayfinding: partnership with AuSable and Oscoda Townships (completed)
• Façade Grant Opportunities (underway)
• US 23 Road Reconstruction Streetscape Project (underway)

DDA Board Membership

The DDA consists of an 8 to 10 member board of merchants, community members and one resident of the DDA District, appointed by the Township Supervisor for staggered 4 year terms. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m in the Charter Township of Oscoda Conference Center located at 208 S. State Street and are open to the public.

Ann Richards, DDA Director at 739-6999 email ddadirector@oscodatwp.com

DDA Board Members

Robert Myles, Chairperson
Edward Keller, Vice-Chairperson
Jim Baier, Township Supervisor
Joseph Maxwell
Tom Schmanske
Gary Price
Pat Shiflet
Jolene Senn
Martin Gayeski
Rhonda Cope