Economic Development

The City of Ionia loves welcoming new businesses to the community. Our convenient location, business-friendly environment, and charming downtown provide many reasons for your business to locate here. Ionia aims to support local entrepreneurs and investors in the community by taking a streamlined approach to development. The Downtown Development Authority Director or City Manager would be happy to meet with any businesses seeking more information about potential opportunities in the City. See the documents below for more information on the City of Ionia.

• City of Ionia Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Economic Development Strategy (PDF)

The City of Ionia owns a number of parcels that it has deemed excess. These parcels are no longer needed by the City and are being listed for sale. Individuals interested in purchasing any of these properties should review City Policy Number 4-004: Sale of City-Owned Excess Property and submit an offer using the form provided below. A minimum bid of $300 is required. The following properties are deemed excess and available for purchase.

• 329 N Dexter Street
  Parcel Number: 34-202-170-000-700-50
  Size: 0.51 acres
  Zoning: B-3, General Business District
  True Cash Value: $9,000
• 486 Harter Street
  Parcel Number: 34-202-170-000-830-00
  Size: 0.15 acres
  Zoning: LDR, Low-Density Residential District
  True Cash Value: $300
• 705 W. Main Street
  Parcel Number: 34-202-170-000-030-00
  Size: 0.166 acres
  Zoning: T, Technology Innovation Business District
  True Cash Value: $5,200
• 839 W Main Street
  Parcel Number: 34-202-170-001-560-00
  Size: 0.14 acres
  Zoning: T, Technology Innovation Business District
  True Cash Value: $1,800
• 0 Dequack Alley
  Parcel Number: 34-203-110-000-060-00
  Size: 0.32 acres
  Zoning: LDR, Low-Density Residential District
  True Cash Value: $300

If you have questions regarding the purchase of these properties, please email City Manager Precia Garland or call 616-527-5776.

• Policy Number 4-004 - Sale of City-Owned Excess Property (PDF)
• Form - Offer to Purchase City Property (PDF)

The City of Ionia is a strategic partner with the Ionia County Economic Alliance (ICEA) to further establish a regional presence. ICEA is a resource for accessing incentives through the state, as well as providing other information related to economic development. Visit the ICEA website for more information. View the ICEA 2024 Annual Report (PDF).

The City of Ionia Orchard View Industrial Park is comprised of 13 lots that are each approximately 3 acres in size. There are 5 lots currently available for purchase and the City is always accepting bids. Lots are being sold at market rate as determined by the City Assessor. The current rate is $26,200 per acre.

The following lots are available for purchase.

• Lot 1 - 320 Apple Tree Drive: 3 acres (measures 250 feet at the street by a depth of 540 feet)
• Lot 2 - 360 Apple Tree Drive: 3 acres (measures 250 feet at the street by a depth of 540 feet)
• Lot 3 - 400 Apple Tree Drive: 3 acres (measures 250 feet at the street by a depth of 540 feet)
• Lot 9 - 515 Apple Tree Drive: 4.6 acres with an irregular shape due to the detention pond located in front of the site.
• Lot 13 - 325 Apple Tree Drive: 3 acres (measures 250 feet at the street by a depth of 540 feet)

If interested in purchasing a lot, contact City Manager Precia Garland at 616-527-5776 or via email at pgarland@ci.ionia.mi.us.

• Orchard View Industrial Park Map (PDF)
• Energy Profile - Orchard View Industrial Park (PDF)

The City of Ionia uses Brownfield Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Industrial Property Tax Abatements (Industrial Facility Tax (IFT) Exemption Certificates), and Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Districts as its methods for economic development tax incentives. If you are interested in these incentives and developing in Ionia, email the City Manager or call (616) 527-5776.

Industrial Property Tax Abatements and the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA)

The City uses the State of Michigan's general applications for these programs. Initiate the local approval process by submitting one of the applications provided below to the City Manager's Office. Fact sheets from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) are also listed below for more information on these incentives. 

• Industrial Facility Tax (IFT) Exemption Certificates
  • Application for Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate
  • Industrial Property Tax Abatement Fact Sheet - MEDC (PDF)
• Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Districts
  • Application for Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate
  • Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) Fact Sheet - MEDC (PDF)

Brownfield Redevelopment

The City of Ionia has a local Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA) which meets quarterly. As described in the City Policy 4-007: Administration of Brownfield Redevelopment Projects, a letter of interest must be submitted to the City Manger's Office to initiate the local review of a brownfield project. 

For more information on Brownfields visit the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's (MEDC) website. A fact sheet from the MEDC on Brownfields is provided below.

• Brownfield Fact Sheet - MEDC (PDF)

The City of Ionia has compiled a list of vacant properties (PDF) in the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) District. The owners of these properties are actively looking for new tenants. The document provided serves as an inventory of these properties. Basic details of the available spaces and property owner contact information have been included.

If you have questions regarding this list, please email DDA Director Cassie Rice.

Explore detailed data and insights about the City by using the City of Ionia Community Profile from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. This resource highlights key information on demographics, workforce, housing, and economic opportunities that help showcase what makes Ionia a great place to live, work, and invest.