downtown ventures with practical tools like sign grants and assistance securing MEDC “Match on Main” awards.This concerted effort is yielding results, cutting downtown vacancies in half and fostering creative pop-ups, such as an “artist in residence” in a previously empty storefront.“Making our downtown as inviting as possible and the process as simple and helpful as possible, I think, was a big hurdle that we addressed together,” reflects Detling. “We’ve really done a lot of focus on customer service and meeting our potential businesses and our current businesses where they’re at and seeing how we can be most agile to support them in their growth for our community,” Cole adds. This ensures the city’s growth is not just permitted, but actively powered by its leadership, creating a truly businesscentric environment. A COLLABORATIVE COMMERCIAL CORE The strength of Saline’s business community is best illustrated by its vibrant and collaborative downtown establishments. These are not just businesses; they are community institutions and destinations. Detling points to Carrigan Cafe as a “downtown hub” where people go for connection. Brecon Grille is a longstanding mainstay, with Cole noting it’s a fixture on the city’s four corners adding “I don’t know that Saline would feel the same without it.” 200 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 11
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx