Help Shape Calumet’s Future
The Village of Calumet is currently updating two important community planning documents: the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Development & Tax Increment Financing Plan and the Village of Calumet Five-Year Recreation Plan for 2026–2030.
These plans help establish priorities for future projects and investments, but they also serve different purposes. The DDA Plan focuses primarily on the future of Calumet’s downtown district, while the Recreation Plan looks at parks, recreation facilities, public spaces and recreational opportunities throughout the Village.
Community input is an important part of both planning processes. Whether you live in Calumet, own a business or property here, work here, or simply spend time in our community, we encourage you to complete both surveys.
The Village of Calumet is currently updating two important community planning documents: the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Development & Tax Increment Financing Plan and the Village of Calumet Five-Year Recreation Plan for 2026–2030.
These plans help establish priorities for future projects and investments, but they also serve different purposes. The DDA Plan focuses primarily on the future of Calumet’s downtown district, while the Recreation Plan looks at parks, recreation facilities, public spaces and recreational opportunities throughout the Village.
Community input is an important part of both planning processes. Whether you live in Calumet, own a business or property here, work here, or simply spend time in our community, we encourage you to complete both surveys.
DDA Development & Tax Increment Financing Plan Update
What is a DDA?
The Village of Calumet Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is a public authority created by the Village to support the economic vitality, preservation and continued improvement of Calumet’s downtown district.
Michigan law allows communities to establish DDAs and use Tax Increment Financing, commonly called TIF, as one tool for investing in designated downtown areas. Michigan DDAs and their TIF plans are currently governed by Public Act 57 of 2018.
What is a DDA Development & TIF Plan?
Think of the plan as a long-term roadmap for downtown investment. The Development Plan identifies the types of improvements, programs and projects the DDA may undertake within the district. The Tax Increment Financing Plan establishes the mechanism that allows the DDA to capture certain increases in property tax revenue generated within the district and reinvest those funds back into the downtown.
TIF does not create a new property tax or increase the tax rate. Instead, it captures a portion of the growth in taxable value within the district. As property values increase over time, a portion of the additional tax revenue generated by that growth can be used by the DDA for eligible downtown improvements.
Michigan also requires TIF authorities to provide public information about their plans, budgets, audits and activities and to hold informational meetings regarding the authority's goals, direction and upcoming projects.
What can the DDA Plan help guide?
The updated plan can establish priorities for things such as:
We Need Your Input
What do you value about downtown Calumet? What needs attention? What kinds of improvements would make downtown a better place to live, work, visit and invest? Community responses will help identify priorities as the Village and DDA update the plan.
What is a DDA?
The Village of Calumet Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is a public authority created by the Village to support the economic vitality, preservation and continued improvement of Calumet’s downtown district.
Michigan law allows communities to establish DDAs and use Tax Increment Financing, commonly called TIF, as one tool for investing in designated downtown areas. Michigan DDAs and their TIF plans are currently governed by Public Act 57 of 2018.
What is a DDA Development & TIF Plan?
Think of the plan as a long-term roadmap for downtown investment. The Development Plan identifies the types of improvements, programs and projects the DDA may undertake within the district. The Tax Increment Financing Plan establishes the mechanism that allows the DDA to capture certain increases in property tax revenue generated within the district and reinvest those funds back into the downtown.
TIF does not create a new property tax or increase the tax rate. Instead, it captures a portion of the growth in taxable value within the district. As property values increase over time, a portion of the additional tax revenue generated by that growth can be used by the DDA for eligible downtown improvements.
Michigan also requires TIF authorities to provide public information about their plans, budgets, audits and activities and to hold informational meetings regarding the authority's goals, direction and upcoming projects.
What can the DDA Plan help guide?
The updated plan can establish priorities for things such as:
- Downtown streetscapes, sidewalks and public spaces
- Historic preservation and building improvements
- Parking and transportation
- Beautification, landscaping and signage
- Business development and downtown vitality
- Public infrastructure
- Placemaking, events and community gathering spaces
- Redevelopment of vacant or underutilized properties
- Projects that encourage private investment in downtown Calumet
We Need Your Input
What do you value about downtown Calumet? What needs attention? What kinds of improvements would make downtown a better place to live, work, visit and invest? Community responses will help identify priorities as the Village and DDA update the plan.
2026–2030 Five-Year Recreation Plan
What is a Five-Year Recreation Plan?
A Recreation Plan is the Village's roadmap for its parks, recreation facilities, open spaces and recreational opportunities for the next five years. The planning process looks at what Calumet currently has, how those facilities are being used, what needs improvement and what residents would like to see in the future.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources guidance describes the purpose of a community recreation plan as inventorying existing facilities and resources, identifying recreation and open-space needs, and establishing a five-year plan of action.
Why Does Calumet Need One?
The plan helps the Village make thoughtful decisions about where limited resources should be invested rather than simply addressing projects one at a time. It is also extremely important for grant funding. A current, DNR-approved Five-Year Recreation Plan is required for communities seeking several major Michigan recreation grant programs, including the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and Land and Water Conservation Fund. The Recreation Passport program also uses an approved Recreation Plan or qualifying Capital Improvement Plan for eligibility. For a small community like Calumet, where major park and recreation improvements often depend on outside funding, having an up-to-date plan helps position the Village to pursue those opportunities.
What does the Recreation Plan consider?
The planning process includes:
We Need Your Input
We want to know how you currently use Calumet's parks and recreation spaces and what you would like to see developed, maintained or improved. Survey results will help the Village understand community recreation needs, prioritize future projects and strengthen future grant applications.
Recreation Plan Survey Deadline: September 15, 2026
What is a Five-Year Recreation Plan?
A Recreation Plan is the Village's roadmap for its parks, recreation facilities, open spaces and recreational opportunities for the next five years. The planning process looks at what Calumet currently has, how those facilities are being used, what needs improvement and what residents would like to see in the future.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources guidance describes the purpose of a community recreation plan as inventorying existing facilities and resources, identifying recreation and open-space needs, and establishing a five-year plan of action.
Why Does Calumet Need One?
The plan helps the Village make thoughtful decisions about where limited resources should be invested rather than simply addressing projects one at a time. It is also extremely important for grant funding. A current, DNR-approved Five-Year Recreation Plan is required for communities seeking several major Michigan recreation grant programs, including the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and Land and Water Conservation Fund. The Recreation Passport program also uses an approved Recreation Plan or qualifying Capital Improvement Plan for eligibility. For a small community like Calumet, where major park and recreation improvements often depend on outside funding, having an up-to-date plan helps position the Village to pursue those opportunities.
What does the Recreation Plan consider?
The planning process includes:
- An inventory of existing parks and recreation facilities
- The condition and accessibility of existing facilities
- Community demographics and recreation needs
- Opportunities for new or improved recreation
- Community goals and priorities
- Potential projects and improvements
- A five-year action program to help guide future investment
We Need Your Input
We want to know how you currently use Calumet's parks and recreation spaces and what you would like to see developed, maintained or improved. Survey results will help the Village understand community recreation needs, prioritize future projects and strengthen future grant applications.
Recreation Plan Survey Deadline: September 15, 2026