Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation

08/25/2026

📢 WHAT DOES THE TIFA & DDA PLAN RENEWAL MEAN FOR SAULT STE. MARIE?

You may have seen a notice about upcoming public hearings regarding the City's Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) plans. If you're wondering what that actually means for you, here's the simple version:

This is NOT a new tax, and it does NOT increase your property taxes.

Tax increment financing is a tool that allows a portion of the growth in property tax revenue within a designated district to be captured and reinvested back into that same area for eligible improvements and economic development activities.

Think of it this way: when property values and investment in a district increase, the additional tax revenue generated from that growth can be used to help improve the district itself, supporting projects, infrastructure, redevelopment, and other eligible activities.

🏗️ And importantly—this isn't something new. The City has already been using these districts and plans to reinvest tax increment revenues into their respective areas. The upcoming process is a renewal and update of the existing plans, including updating planned activities, projects, estimated costs, financing methods, and revenue projections. The boundaries of the existing districts are not changing.

📄 WANT TO SEE WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED?

The draft plans are available for public review. We encourage residents, businesses, property owners, and community members to take a look and provide feedback.

👉 View the Draft DDA Plans: https://www.saultcity.com/dda
👉 View the Draft TIFA Plans: https://www.saultcity.com/edc

📍 PUBLIC HEARING
Monday, September 21, 2026
7:00 p.m.
City Commission Chambers – City Hall
225 East Portage Avenue

This is an opportunity for the public to ask questions, share comments, and provide input on the proposed plans. Written comments must be received by September 16, 2026, and comments may also be provided at the public hearing. Please email: [email protected] with any comments.

We encourage anyone interested in the future of our community and continued investment in these districts to learn more and participate in the public process.

In short: it's an existing tool, with no new tax and no tax increase. It is a continued reinvestment of tax growth into the districts where that growth occurs.

City of Sault Ste. Marie, MI & Downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

08/13/2026

InvestUP and three regional planning agencies are asking U.P. landlords and property managers to share information on rents, vacancies and unit types through a new survey open until August 31.

08/12/2026

08/06/2026

🚨 Surprise Visitor! 🚨

An L-39 Albatros fighter jet is planning to stop by the Sanderson Field Airport Open House this Saturday! ✈️

Arrival time is tentative and subject to change. Stay tuned to our page for updates!

Don’t miss your chance to see this incredible aircraft up close!

08/04/2026

07/22/2026

07/11/2026

07/08/2026

On Friday, June 26th, along with all of our partners, we celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of The Del-Mar Restaurant.

The EDC had the honor of standing alongside developers Brent and Lynde Blair from the very beginning of this project. Throughout the entire building, from the six apartments to the restaurant and lounge, as well as the event space, their love, dedication, and attention to detail are evident. Every space is warm and reflects their vision of creating a destination that provides much-needed amenities, services, and new opportunities in our downtown.

The Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation is grateful for the programs offered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation that help turn visionary projects like this into reality. We also thank the MEDC team for their guidance, partnership, and unwavering support throughout the process, helping bring this project to completion.

Additionally, we were grateful to have our State Representative Parker Fairbairn with us! Having legislators who understand the importance of investments and developments like this in our community helps create an environment where projects can move forward, and communities can continue to grow. We appreciate his support and commitment to the future of Sault Ste. Marie.

A vacant, two-story building on a prominent corner of Downtown Sault Ste. Marie gets a new life as a mixed-use development thanks to the MEDC’s Revitalization and Placemaking program

07/08/2026

The Sault Ste. Marie EDC was thrilled to assist the team at The Office of Rural Prosperity in planning this great event here in the Soo! We enjoyed meeting with partners and collaborators from throughout the Straits Region.

Eastern Upper Peninsula & Straits Regional Prosperity Summit Recap Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity sent this bulletin at 07/07/2026 09:26 AM EDT Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Building Stronger Communities Through Regional Collaboration The Office of....

07/02/2026

It was such a privilege to be able to assist in celebrating the ground breaking of 538 Ashmun! We are so thankful for Holly and her commitment to this development and our beautiful town 🤍

Thank you to our friends at the MEDC for helping us celebrate and our State Legislators for supporting these programs that help our town grow!