Buchanan Community Development in the News
Business incubator program set to help small businesses in Buchanan
"Small business owners are getting the opportunity to start up their businesses with a new program in Buchanan.The organization LiveBuchanan created a business incubator called “The Hometown and Company,” where small businesses in the food and retail industry are given the space, resources, and services they need in order for their business to grow."
‘A Vision for Buchanan’ is becoming reality
"Buchanan’s historic downtown is seeing an unprecedented wave of investment. In the two years since the publication of “the Vision,” several strategic downtown properties that were once vacant or underused for decades have had new life breathed into them. The Hometown Video building at 101-103 Days Ave is undergoing a compete historic restoration and will open as a new restaurant and business accelerator with upper story residential. It’s the largest vacant building on Front Street and Murphy believes it is a significant signal that Buchanan is back for good. "
Buchanan Wins $300,000 from DNR for McCoy Creek Trail Project
"The City of Buchanan announced that it has received a commitment of an additional $300,000 from the Michigan DNR Natural Resources Trust Fund which is the last necessary piece of funding in order to move the McCoy Creek’s Trail Extension to River St. Joe Brewery to implementation. Buchanan’s grant application was ranked in scoring as 3rd out of 100 submittals submitted from across the state."
'A Vision for Buchanan' Wins National Urban Guild Design Award
"The community project, A Vision for Buchanan, which has been turning heads in the development world over the last year was awarded the prestigious national award by the Urban Guild for Student Work. The Vision was created throughout a six-month partnership between the City of Buchanan and Andrews University School of Architecture and Design. The Urban Design Studio of 5th Year Architectural students under the leadership of Professor Andrew von Maur challenged the community to reimagine development opportunities in Buchanan. Several of the recommendations are already in the implementation stage."
Popular artist creates Hannah Roberts mural in downtown Buchanan
"Internationally recognized artist Jeff Zimmermann is bringing his talent to the 100-by-15-foot north wall of Honor Credit Union. Zimmermann is creating the mural to celebrate the achievements of Buchanan’s hometown hero and BMX World Champion and Olympic Medalist Hannah Roberts."
City of Buchanan praises new Waterfront Master Plan
"The city of Buchanan finished its Waterfront Master Plan earlier this month, and grants are already trickling in. The city has received a state grant to build an accessible kayak launch and a private grant to do riverfront restoration. The Landing at Riverfront Park in Buchanan is what it is — a place with one picnic table, a porta potty, a small shelter, and a boat ramp.
“They want a space to gather, to have almost like a fire pit ring so that has a history of the river, where the community can really spend time together,” said Assistant Community Development Director Ashley Regal."
Historic Victory Park reopens in Buchanan
"A collaboration between the Northside neighborhood group consisting of Josetta Bibbs, Barb Kyles, Jeanie harris, John Brown, Frieda Hughes and Busby and Community Development Director Rich Murphy and Assistant Community Development Director Ashley Regal aimed at addressing the systemic challenges faced by the Northside neighborhood, the transformation of Victory Park totaling more than $175,000 includes the new pavilion, the expansion of park grounds, restoration of the basketball court and installation of new picnic tables, benches, signage and ADA-accessible amenities. "
"A small southwest Michigan community has produced more than its fair-share of United States Olympians. Despite not winning a Gold Medal, Roberts was able to continue Buchanan’s long-standing tradition of producing Olympic athletes. She joins Jeff Smoke, a 1996 Buchanan graduate, participated in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece as a member of the U.S. Sprint Kayaking team."
Buchanan, Michigan, Is the Nicest Place in America
"In 2020, we received a record number 1,177 story submissions to our annual search for the Nicest Places in America as people struggled against a deadly pandemic and racial injustice. This year's winning place shows that when Americans unite, we can overcome anything."
