Economic Development
Economic development efforts in the City are primarily coordinated by the Ionia County Economic Alliance (ICEA) of which the City is a contributing member. The ICEA contracts with The Right Place for comprehensive economic development services including business retention, expansion, and attraction support. Recently completed economic development-based studies help show the opportunities available in Ionia. Check the documents and links tabs on this page to access these studies.
For assistance with a project, you may contact the Ionia City Manager at (616) 527-5776 or reach out to the Ionia County region of The Right Place.
Development in Ionia
The City of Ionia loves welcoming new businesses to the community. Our convenient location, business-friendly environment, and charming downtown provide many reasons for your business to locate here. Ionia aims to support local entrepreneurs and investors in the community by taking a streamlined approach to development. The Downtown Development Authority Director or City Manager would be happy to meet with any businesses seeking more information about potential opportunities in the City. See the documents below for more information on the City of Ionia.
Download a File:
City of Ionia Fact Sheet (PDF)
Economic Development Strategy (PDF)
Orchard View Industrial Park
The City of Ionia Orchard View Industrial Park is comprised of 13 lots that are each approximately 3 acres in size. There are 7 lots currently available for purchase and the City is always accepting bids. Lots are being sold at market rate as determined by the City Assessor. The current rate is $26,200 per acre.
The following lots are available for purchase.
Lot 1 - 320 Apple Tree Drive: 3 acres (measures 250 feet at the street by a depth of 540 feet)
Lot 2 - 360 Apple Tree Drive: 3 acres (measures 250 feet at the street by a depth of 540 feet)
Lot 3 - 400 Apple Tree Drive: 3 acres (measures 250 feet at the street by a depth of 540 feet)
Lot 9 - 515 Apple Tree Drive: 4.6 acres with an irregular shape due to the detention pond located in front of the site.
Lot 13 - 325 Apple Tree Drive: 3 acres (measures 250 feet at the street by a depth of 540 feet)
If interested in purchasing a lot, contact City Manager Precia Garland at (616) 527-5776 or via email at pgarland@ci.ionia.mi.us.
Download a File:
Orchard View Industrial Park Map (PDF)
Energy Profile - Orchard View Industrial Park (PDF)
Ionia County Economic Alliance (ICEA)
The City of Ionia is a strategic partner with the Ionia County Economic Alliance (ICEA) to further establish a regional presence. ICEA is a resource for accessing incentives through the state, as well as providing other information related to economic development. Visit the ICEA website for more information. A copy of the ICEA Annual Report is included below.
Download a File:
ICEA 2022 Annual Report (PDF)
Tax Incentives
The City uses Brownfield Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Industrial Property Tax Abatements (Industrial Facility Tax (IFT) Exemption Certificates), and Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Districts as its methods for economic development tax incentives. The City uses the State of Michigan's general applications for these programs. If you are interested in these incentives and developing in Ionia, contact the City Manager at (616) 527-5776 or via email at pgarland@ci.ionia.mi.us.
For more information on Brownfields visit the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's (MEDC) website. Fact sheets from the MEDC on Brownfields, Industrial Property Tax Abatements, and the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) are provided below.
Download a File:
Brownfield Fact Sheet - MEDC (PDF)
Industrial Property Tax Abatement Fact Sheet - MEDC (PDF)
Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) Fact Sheet - MEDC (PDF)
The Right Place for the 2nd Annual MIPitch Competition
Development Opportunities Video
Documents and Links
- Download Document:
- Ionia Economic Development Strategy Report (PDF)
- Download Document:
- Gen Z Study (PDF)
- Download Documents:
- Housing Study 2021 (PDF)
- Housing Study 2019 (PDF)
Excess Properties for Sale
The City of Ionia owns a number of parcels that it has deemed excess. These parcels are no longer needed by the City and are being listed for sale. Individuals interested in purchasing any of these properties should review City Policy No. 4-004: Sale of City-Owned Excess Property and submit an offer using the form provided below. A minimum bid of $300 is required. The following properties are deemed excess and available for purchase.
329 N. Dexter Street
Parcel Number: 34-202-170-000-700-50
Size: 0.51 acres
Zoning: B-3, General Business District
True Cash Value: $9,000
486 Harter Street
Parcel Number: 34-202-170-000-830-00
Size: 0.15 acres
Zoning: RM-1, Multiple-Family Residential
True Cash Value: $300
839 W. Main Street
Parcel Number: 34-202-170-001-560-00
Size: 0.14 acres
Zoning: I-1, Light Industrial
True Cash Value: $1,800
0 Dequack Alley
Parcel Number: 34-203-110-000-060-00
Size: 0.32 acres
Zoning: R-1, One-Family Residential
True Cash Value: $300
315 Webber Street
Parcel Number: 34-204-090-000-080-00
Size: 0.64 acres
Zoning: I-1, Light Industrial
True Cash Value: $8,000
Questions regarding the purchase of these properties should be directed to City Manager Precia Garland via email at pgarland@ci.ionia.mi.us or over the phone at (616) 527-5776.
Download a File:
Policy No. 4-004 - Sale of City-Owned Excess Property (PDF)
Form - Offer to Purchase City Property (PDF)
Vacant Property Inventory for Downtown
The City of Ionia has compiled a list of vacant properties in the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) District. The owners of these properties are actively looking for new tenants. The document provided below serves as an inventory of these properties. Basic details of the available spaces and property owner contact information have been included.
Questions regarding this list should be directed toward DDA Director Linda Curtis at lcurtis@ci.ionia.mi.us.
Download a File:
Vacant Property Inventory for Downtown (PDF)
City Becomes a Certified Redevelopment Ready Community
As a Certified Redevelopment Ready Community (RRC), the City of Ionia has completed the steps put in place by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to become a vibrant and competitive place for development opportunities. This involved reviewing processes inhibiting development, identifying assets, and master planning with public input.
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Ionia, Michigan 48846
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