GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (Feb. 4, 2014) — Dan Tomaszewski lives and works in the Jenison area. The businessman shared his plan with FOX 17 to “reinvent Georgetown Township.”
A diagram of his plan was also shared with FOX 17.
Tomaszewski owns Computer House Calls on Baldwin Street. He would like to see new businesses in the empty storefronts. He said a strategic plan is needed, and a person should be hired to market Georgetown Township to businesses.
“It’s a great community,” Tomaszewski said. “It’s one of the fastest growing communities in the state. When you take a look at the area, a lot of families. Very very family oriented.”
“From a business perspective, there’s still a number of businesses here, but a lot of businesses have decided to depart the area because of Grandville and the growth of Rivertown Crossings Mall,” he said.
When a majority of the township board wanted to build a brand new $8.1 million township office, Tomaszewski started a Facebook page opposing the idea. He and 1300 other residents considered it wasteful spending.
“The number one concern was the vacancies that are in the area” Tomaszewski said.
The board listened and canceled its plans. The old Kmart is one those vacant buildings. Hobby Lobby is another. Target also moved out.
But ‘At Home’ just moved in. Tomaszeski considers the new home decor business a ray of hope for the township. “We’re hoping that that will be a new magnet for us here that will help draw other businesses. Sometimes it just takes one,” he said.
To keep the momentum going and fill the empty buildings, he wants to create a new movement called “Reinvent Georgetown Township.” something similar to the Downtown Development Authority in Grand Rapids. It would have a board made up of community leaders.
“We need a strategic vision. We need to have that road map to get to where we want to be. And through that road map that will allow us to, number one, put somebody in place that would help market our community. So hire a new person that will start reaching out to businesses that may be looking for a unique location,” he explained.
