Garden City Business Resource Guide

Welcome to Garden City, Michigan! We are excited to have you and are ready to help. This City Hall is a one-stop shop for all your business needs.

As a new business, your initial contact will most likely be with the City of Garden City Planning and Zoning and Building departments. The Planning and Zoning Department will review your proposed use and determine if it complies with zoning and what additional approvals are necessary, including sign permits. The Building Department is responsible for all building permits and scheduling inspections. You will also apply for a Certificate of Occupancy in this department.

Your next stop will be the City Clerk to apply for a business license. Once all of the approvals and inspections are completed and satisfactory, the Clerk's office will issue a Certificate of Occupancy and the business license. Please remember that you may not occupy the building or be open for business until you have received both the Certificate of Occupancy and business license.

Please contact the Garden City Downtown Development Authority for more details.

*Scroll down to the bottom of this page for a small list of helpful resources to aid you in setting up shop in this fine town.

Parking Improvement Program

In 1996, the City of Garden City Downtown Development Authority established the Parking Improvement Program (PIP) to stimulate appropriate improvements to downtown commercial sites.

The DDA finds that the creation and maintenance of an attractive downtown is apublic purpose that will be achieved in part through improvements to parking facilities. Downtown Garden City is pivotal to the economic health of the greater Garden City community because its condition, whether perceived or actual, plays such a large part in the impression people have of the area. Downtown Garden City is the focal point of the community and any neglect will create an image of a deteriorating economic base. As a result, potential business may be discouraged from locating in downtown Garden City and existing property owners may defer maintenance and reinvestment in the real estate.

The intent of the PIP is to strengthen the economic viability of downtown Garden City by providing financial incentives for improving the appearance of its parking areas. The PIP provides an opportunity to preserve the architectural heritage of downtown Garden City and enhance the unique atmosphere that downtown Garden City provides to the greater Garden City Community.

Please click here for more information regarding the Parking Improvement Program (pdf).

Facade Improvement Program

In 1996, the City of Garden City Downtown Development Authority established the Facade Improvement Program (FIP) to stimulate appropriate improvements to downtown commercial buildings and sites.

The DDA finds that the creation and maintenance of an attractive downtown is apublic purpose that will be achieved in part through improvements to building facades. Downtown Garden City is pivotal to the economic health of the greater Garden City community because its condition, whether perceived or actual, plays such a large part in the impression people have of the area. Downtown Garden City is the focal point of the community and any neglect will create an image of a deteriorating economic base. As a result, potential business may be discouraged from locating in downtown Garden City and existing property owners may defer maintenance and reinvestment in the real estate.

The intent of the FIP is to strengthen the economic viability of downtown Garden City by providing financial incentives for improving the appearance of its parking areas. The FIP provides an opportunity to preserve the architectural heritage of downtown Garden City and enhance the unique atmosphere that downtown Garden City provides to the greater Garden City Community. It is important to the aesthetic enhancement of downtown that building design treatments be compatible with each other. The DDA believes the best approach is through the preservation of a buildings original architectural features.

Please click here for more information regarding the Facade Improvement Program (pdf).

Garden City Downtown Development Authority

29213 Ford Road

Garden City, MI 48135

734-261-2830

www.downtowngardencity.org

Wayne County Economic Growth Engine (EDGE)

5000 Griswold Street, Floor 30

Detroit, MI 48226

313-224-0410

www.waynecounty.com/mygovt/edge

Michigan Business One Stop

Lansing, MI

(877)-766-1779

www.michigan.gov/business

Michigan Economic Development Corporation

300 N. Washington

Lansing, MI 48913

888-522-0103

www.themedc.com

Michigan Small Business and Technology Center (MI-SBTDC)

Grand Valley State University

1 Campus Drive

Allendale, MI 49401-9403

616-331-5000

www.gvsu.edu/misbtdc