our mission
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BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE
The Alpena DDA Board of Directors meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 3:00 pm in City Hall Council Chambers. All board meetings are open to the public with the opportunity for public comment at the start of the meeting. For more information about what will be talked about this month's meeting or to see what the board has talked about in the past, click the buttons below.
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July 6, 2021 | 3:00 pm
The meeting will be held at City Hall Council Chambers, 208 N. First Ave. Members of the public are encouraged to join virtually with the information below. |
August 10, 2021 | 3:00 pm
Please note our August & September Board Meetings have been pushed back one week from the normal meeting date. |
September 14, 2021 | 3:00 pm
Please note our August & September Board Meetings have been pushed back one week from the normal meeting date. |
The DDA held two informational meetings on December 14 & December 17, 2020 to inform the public of projects accomplished in the last year and priorities moving forward. You can view a recording of the presentation by clicking here.
DDA BOARD MEMBERS
The DDA is governed by a Board of Directors, which is composed of individuals with downtown's best interests in mind.
Mike Mahler, Chairman, Director of Economic Development, Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce
Matt Wojda, Vice- Chairman, Attorney, White & Wojda
Todd Britton, Owner, Meridian Contracting Services, LLC
Jennifer Calery, Public Relations & Communications Consultant, Cinnaire
Corey Canute, General Manager & Senior VP, Omni Metalcraft Corp & Co-owner, Red Brick Tap & Barrel
Joanna Cooper, Realtor, Ashney Homes by the Bay
Griffin James, Owner, Cedar & Threads
Cristi Johnson, Manager of Sales, Project Management & Operations, Family Enterprise, Inc.
Rachel Smolinski, Alpena City Manager
Anne Gentry, Executive Director, Alpena DDA (ex-officio)
Mike Mahler, Chairman, Director of Economic Development, Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce
Matt Wojda, Vice- Chairman, Attorney, White & Wojda
Todd Britton, Owner, Meridian Contracting Services, LLC
Jennifer Calery, Public Relations & Communications Consultant, Cinnaire
Corey Canute, General Manager & Senior VP, Omni Metalcraft Corp & Co-owner, Red Brick Tap & Barrel
Joanna Cooper, Realtor, Ashney Homes by the Bay
Griffin James, Owner, Cedar & Threads
Cristi Johnson, Manager of Sales, Project Management & Operations, Family Enterprise, Inc.
Rachel Smolinski, Alpena City Manager
Anne Gentry, Executive Director, Alpena DDA (ex-officio)
DDA COMMITTEESThe Alpena DDA has four standing committees which meet monthly and are outlined below. DDA Committees work to implement the tasks and goals of the Strategic Plan and report to the Board of Directors for final action.
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Authority Staff
Anne Gentry has been Executive Director of the Alpena Downtown Development Authority since Spring 2017, where she manages day-to-day operations and leads execution of DDA goals, programs, and strategies. She graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature, with a concentration on English and Italian literature. She has also studied in Bologna, Italy and in Adelaide, South Australia. Previous to working at the DDA, she worked as Visitor Experience Manager at Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Alpena before receiving her teaching certificate in English as a Second Language in Adelaide, South Australia. She also serves as a board member for Thunder Bay Theatre in Alpena and Michigan Downtown Association, a statewide association for downtown revitilazation. |
Kingsli Kraft became the Marketing & Outreach Coordinator at the Alpena DDA in May 2018. She is an Alpena native, born and raised. Kingsli graduated from the University of Michigan in 2018 as well with a B.A. in the Program in the Environment, with a focus on human ecology and a minor in food. Much of her degree focused on the intersection of sustainability and the arts with urban planning and community development.In the past, she worked at the Office of Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR) at U of M for three years where she specialized in adaptable conflict resolution, restorative justice, peer-based intervention and taught over fifty workshops centered around conflict management, non-violent communication, and conflict styles. She currently serves as a board member for Thunder Bay Theatre and enjoys volunteering in the local arts community. |
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Savannah Peterson has been the Parking Ambassador for the DDA since February 2019, where she monitors downtown parking. Savannah graduated from Alcona High School and recently completed her Associate's Degree in Law Enforcement from Alpena Community College. In her free time, she enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with family.
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FINANCIALS
The Alpena DDA receives the majority of its revenues from two sources:
- Tax Increment Funding (TIF), which goes towards downtown projects and improvements according to our TIF plan;
- 2 millages, a special assessment levied on downtown properties which goes towards the DDA’s operational costs.
The DDA has contracts with the following companies:
- Northern Cleaning & Maintenance, for cleaning of DDA Office & lawn care.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS, PROJECTS & PLANS
The Alpena DDA is proud to develop and implement various projects, promotions, and events to improve the downtown district, as guided by our 2004 TIF Plan, 2017 Strategic Plan, and the work of our committees.
View a list of our accomplishments, events, and ongoing projects by clicking here.
View a list of our accomplishments, events, and ongoing projects by clicking here.