various levels of government to ensure that Milan is on the radar for new industries and investment opportunities. These connections, along with the support of the Council of Governments, create a network of resources that Milan taps into regularly to explore new opportunities for growth. One of the village’s most ambitious projects is developing an industrial park. “We’re in the process of building an industrial park,” Williams shares. This forward-looking initiative is set to offer companies a new place to set up shop in Milan. We have all the plans, the spec buildings, design, stuff like that,” she explains. The park’s infrastructure is well underway, including a rail crossing and the first part of the roadway for phase one. TACKLING HOUSING CHALLENGES AND GROWING THE COMMUNITY As Milan seeks to expand its economic footprint, one of the village’s most pressing issues is the availability of workforce housing. Without enough homes to accommodate potential workers, the village’s efforts to attract and retain new businesses are met with added complexity. To address this, the village has taken a proactive stance, looking for innovative ways to ensure housing keeps pace with economic growth. “We’re working on an ordinance for tiny houses,” Baca reveals, demonstrating Milan’s willingness to think outside the box when it comes to housing solutions. With limited space and a need for affordable, efficient homes, the tiny house ordinance represents a creative approach to easing the housing shortage. These smaller homes could provide quick, affordable options for workers while still maintaining the village’s charming, small-town feel. In addition to this, Milan is actively engaging with developers to encourage the construction of affordable housing. “We did pass an ordinance that allows us to help out any developers that are interested in affordable housing,” Baca says. This measure, which was passed in February, shows how the village is working with private sector partners to ensure that the housing market evolves alongside the village’s economic needs. The village isn’t simply waiting for developers to take notice—they’re actively creating a welcoming environment for those who 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 09
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