By Susan Bromley

Staff Writer

Ortonville– The DDA needs your help.

The Downtown Development Authority invites everyone who has an interest in this village’s future to attend community engagement sessions at 7:30 a.m or 6 p.m., Oct. 6 at the Brandon Township Library, 304 South St.

Input from business owners, property owners, residents and community organization will assist the DDA in developing a strategic plan for the downtown.

“The sessions are set up to get folks to really provide feedback on the downtown area and what they might envision it like moving forward,” said Matt Jenkins, DDA executive director. “I think this is the right time for the board, we have to make decisions for 2017 and beyond, what our priorities will be. The last three months of this year is the perfect opportunity to strategize for the future.”

For many years, village officials and business and property owners have expressed frustration that a lack of sewers impedes progress in the village. However, voters overwhelmingly shot down a sewer proposal a year ago. Jenkins said sewers is not a “hot topic,” but he wants to leave everything open-ended.

“I don’t think we’re going in to the sessions saying what is possible without sewers, we don’t want to restrict,” he said. “We want the community to say what is possible and engage in strategy and planning to see if what they suggest is possible.”

A facilitator from Main Street Oakland County will be present at the sessions. The village participates in Main Street, a national economic development and historic preservation program, and is eligible for a variety of resources, including facade grants, an architect to design plans, and educational support to help downtowns be successful in attracting both businesses and customers.

For those unable to attend the sessions, Jenkins said a survey will be placed on the village website,

www.downtownortonville.org, to gather feedback and asking what potential respondents like about the downtown, what the challenges are, and what they would like to see moving forward.