Schoolcraft Township

An Historic Gem

Preserving Tradition and Welcoming Opportunity

Encompassing the historic villages of Schoolcraft and Vicksburg, Schoolcraft Township is becoming known for its ideal location and business friendly energy. Township Supervisor Don Ulsh reports that 44 percent of the community is engaged in agriculture, setting the tone for the story of a friendly rural community. But it’s so much more than that. “We’re the only township in Michigan that has two railroads. One goes east and west, one goes north and south. So, because of that, and our location on US 131, it makes property valuable for any businesses that want to come in,” he explains. 

Two Villages with Distinct Personalities

While the township is rural at its core, its two anchor villages are experiencing very different kinds of momentum. “The Village of Vicksburg is the fastest growing village in the state of Michigan,” says Ulsh, noting that the area has become a popular destination, with attractions like Mckenzies Bakery drawing people to the community. Adding to the village’s character is the transformation of a historic paper mill. 

“There’s a young man who bought it, and he’s converting it into an entertainment center. It’s quite a thing, a lot of money,” Ulsh portrays. The exterior buildings are being restored to their original 1906 appearance, with support from the state of Michigan for their historical significance, while the interior will feature a contemporary design befitting its new use as a cultural center. 

In contrast, the Village of Schoolcraft maintains a more laid back atmosphere. “It’s one of the original villages in Michigan, and they don’t want all the hurrah that goes on in Vicksburg. It’s funny because they’re exact opposites of each other,” Ulsh imparts.

Welcoming New Businesses

Schoolcraft Township is home to major employers such as J Rettenmaier Corporation, which has become an important part of the township’s economic and community landscape. “They’re a German business. We gave them several tax breaks to get them here, and they’re now the largest taxpayer in Schoolcraft Township,” details Ulsh. “They’ve added on and added on, and they’ve made Schoolcraft their world headquarters. They are just a super company.”

The township is also preparing for the opening of Forming USA, a Swiss based manufacturer of cold rolled steel products. The 40 acre site will be home to the company’s sales office and manufacturing plant, eventually spanning 1 million square feet. According to Ulsh, the owner was not only looking for land, but for a community he felt comfortable doing business in. 

“He actually flew in from Switzerland to meet with us, to make sure he liked us. He wanted to meet our staff and make sure that we were as friendly as he had heard. So, he bought the property, and we’re just waiting for him to break ground.”

The welcoming and professional nature of the township has already attracted other investments. “We’re targeting along the US 131 corridor, and we’re going to do whatever it takes to have businesses go there,” Ulsh recounts. “We had an automobile dealership move in on 131. We had to change our sign ordinance, so they could have a larger sign. And they tripled their sales.”  

As industries diversify, workforce development is top of mind. Schoolcraft Township works in partnership with Kalamazoo Regional Education Service Agency (KRESA), who bring training and educational opportunities to the community. 

“They built a huge building just for trades,” describes Ulsh. “This is a state of the art building that was built in the Kalamazoo area, and it serves all the schools. It has any trade you want to talk about, you name it, welding, electrical, veterinarian. It is just an unbelievable thing, and we help fund that.” The township also collaborates with Southwest Michigan First, a Kalamazoo based economic development organization that works to attract and grow businesses in the region.

Building Trails and Recreation

Recreation is a growing area of focus in Schoolcraft Township, and one of the most exciting projects currently on the table is a walking and biking trail connecting the two villages. “That is a straight line down one of our roads, and that’s a multi million dollar project,” says Ulsh. Noting that the trail will be called the  Potawatomi trail, after the indigenous people who first inhabited the area, he adds, “We’ve talked to them, and we’ve talked to the state, and they think it’s a great idea.”

Efforts are also underway to connect Schoolcraft Township’s non motorized trail system to the city of Portage,  “Biking is really taking off in this area,” he says. “The idea is that when we’re done, they could actually start out in the city of Portage and do a round trip through the village of Vicksburg, the village of Schoolcraft, and then head back north again to the city of Portage. Everybody we have talked to wants to help us do that.”

The township’s 32 acre Swan Park is a popular gathering space, and a source of pride, right in the center of the community. “We have people coming from all over because it’s immaculate. We really keep it up,” Ulsh boasts. 

“In fact, this past summer some state championships were played here because of the field and the accommodations that go with it.” With ten ballfields, a concession stand, and about 15 acres of open land, the park still has space for future amenities, and the township is willing to help make it happen. “We’ve talked to various organizations like racquetball, and we tell them, ‘You can have the area. What do we need to do to get you out here?’”

Land and Infrastructure Hurdles

Growth often comes with challenges, but the township remains committed to creating opportunities for the community. With property both north and south of the village of Schoolcraft, plans are underway to extend sewer and water service from St. Joseph County up to the village boundary. While the village itself has chosen not to connect to the system at this time, the township’s location still remains an advantage. “That’s exactly why the Switzerland plant wanted to be here because the railroad goes right through the back part of their property that they bought. They have rail service right to the door,” Ulsh highlights. 

Additionally, the state’s PA 116 program, designed to preserve the rich farmland in the region, complicates the sale of land for redevelopment. The program provides state tax reductions as long as the property remains in agricultural use. If the land is sold for another purpose, the new owner is required to repay the amount that was previously deferred. “That’s a continued battle. There’s a lot of nice agricultural land that could be turned into industrial or commercial,  but somebody would have to have really deep pockets in order to pay back all those back taxes,” underscores Ulsh.

When it comes to residential, the village of Vicksburg has lots of space available for development. “That’s why they’re the fastest growing village in Michigan, because they keep adding more area for housing,” he conveys. We’ve got some property, 20 acres, 40 acres, where a small subdivision could be built, there’s areas like that throughout the township. They seem to like the Vicksburg area, because everything’s there that anybody would need.”

Looking Ahead

Schoolcraft Township is increasingly on the radar of those seeking a business friendly community with a strategic location, in a close knit rural setting. Moving forward, the focus is on continuing to attract investment along US 131 while also expanding quality of life amenities for residents. 

“The center of the township is just a nice, relaxing place. People are very friendly. People love coming in here to talk,” says Ulsh. “So the two top priorities are recreation and growing our business corridor.”  These efforts clearly reflect Schoolcraft Township’s forward looking attitude, and the diversity of its villages, making certain the community will thrive well into the future.

At a Glance 

Name: Schoolcraft Township

What: A growing rural township encompassing the villages of Schoolcraft and Vicksburg

Where: Kalamazoo County, Michigan

Website: www.schoolcrafttownshipmi.gov