The 2012 Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise will be held from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, August . It's hard to believe that 2012 will mark the 10th year for the Cruise. In 2011 more than 135,000 classic car lovers and spectators made the cruise the biggest ever. A special thanks to the Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise Committee for the tireless work they conduct in order to make this premier township event possible. For a full listing of Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise events go to ctgratiotcruise.com
Gratiot DDA featured in Macomb County Catalogue
The Gratiot Downtown Development Authority is part of Macomb County's catalogue distributed to hundreds of companies and government agencies throughout the Detroit Metropolitan area. The next time you visit Metropolitan Airport look for a copy on the stands of the Macomb County information booth. If you would like a copy contact DDA Liaison Joseph Peruzzi at 586-723-8045.
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Reusable bags from DDA
Looking for an environmentally-friendly way to carry your groceries and other belongings. The Clinton Township Gratiot Downtown Development Authority distributes these special carryalls at all major township events sponsored by the DDA. They are available from the DDA for $1.50 each. For more info contact DDA Liaison Joseph Peruzzi at 586-615-1106 or write to j.peruzzi@clintontownship-mi.gov.
Welcome to the home page of the Clinton Township Downtown Development Authority - a business district filled with history, tradition, and an exciting outlook for the future!
DTE turns on the power to Gratiot LED lights
More than 50 representatives from Gratiot DDA businesses, DTE-Energy, and the Charter Township of Clinton officially marked the completion of the long- awaited LED lighting project on Gratiot. The special meeting was held at Cabbo Wabbo’s Sunset Grille above in the Dimitri’s Restaurant on Gratiot. Attendees saw see the lights switch on during the event.
The DDA’s more than 300 businesses agreed to a special assessment lighting district almost three years ago that enabled the project to move ahead. DTE Energy is providing a turn-key system including installation, energy delivery and all ongoing maintenance.
Township Supervisor Robert Cannon noted the Gratiot corridor’s progress made in the almost 10 years since the DDA was established.
“In those early years the best we could do was water the flowers at 14 Mile Road and Gratiot using garden hoses from the Alibi Inn,” he said. “Since then we have established perennial gardens, installed an electronic welcome sign, dramatically improved the ongoing maintenance of the median, and now completed our lighting project. We think all of this has shown the township’s commitment to the area, and that commitment is now paying off with the ongoing business redevelopment taking place on the Gratiot corridor.”
Gratiot, along with M-59, are the township’s longest business corridors that have continued to grow despite the weak economy.
Clinton Township Supervisor Robert Cannon, photo on left, and DTE's Community Lighting Manager Ken Henderson, photo on right, were on hand to explain the development of the LED lighting project.
“This is a new technology us and we are pleased the DDA has chosen us to build and maintain the project,” said DTE’s Community Lighting Manager Ed Henderson. “The lights will go a long way toward welcoming new customers to your businesses because safety is a major concern for shoppers,” he said. “The lights represent the most advanced technology on the market today. Built by Cooper Lighting, the arrays will use about one-third the energy consumed by traditional street lighting. Maintenance costs will be reduced by more than 50 percent.”
The $966,000 project was paid for by the DDA and a $223,000 Federal energy conservation grant. The energy and maintenance costs will be shared by the DDA and businesses, making the addition of the LED lights a great value.
County Executive Mark Hackel Addresses DDA
New Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said one of his main objectives will be to unite County government and businesses to better grow jobs and prosperity in Macomb County. Speaking before members of the DDA at its annual Lighting the Way informational breakfast, Hackel said that all too often the county has focused on what divides the community as opposed to bringing the community together.
He noted that over 2/3rds of the Defense contracts awarded in Michigan go to firms in the Van Dyke corridor. He said the county aims to help expand the defense corridor to include businesses throughout the county, including Clinton Township.
Check out Events on this website for upcoming Gratiot area events and DDA sponsorship activities
What a deal thanks to the Clinton Township Gratiot Downtown Development Authority
DDA and the Macomb Daily team up on $99 Gatefold Ad campaign
Contact Mary Ellen Zander at the Macomb Daily (586-783-0339) if your business is interested in advertising on the front page of the newspaper for only $99.
The Clinton Township Gratiot Downtown Development Authority and the Macomb Daily now offer an incredible opportunity to tell customers about your business and product offerings. Every month for the next year the Macomb Daily will offer DDA advertisers up to a two inch deep ad on the front page "gatefold" of the Macomb Daily for less than $99.
A recent survey conducted by the DDA revealed that almost 40% of the businesses on Gratiot are independently owned. The DDA's objective is to provide this high visibility marketing opportunity to smaller businesses. The newspaper covers all of Macomb County, and the majority of its readers are 35-65 years old with a median household income of more than $75,000. For more information about this unique advertising opportunity--it probably represents the best deal in town--contact advertising executive Mary Ellen Zander at the Macomb Daily at 586-783-0339 or Joseph Peruzzi, DDA Liaison, at 586-723-8045.
Updated Electronic Sign slated for DDA Gateway on Gratiot at 14 Mile
A larger, high resolution electronic sign is planned for the DDA Gateway on Gratiot at 14 Mile. Paid for by t
he DDA, the new sign will be 60 sq. ft., about three times the size of the current sign, and will be capable of displaying highly animated and even video-based messages. The high resolution sign will also be visible to motorists on both northbound and southbound Gratiot.
The current sign at 14 Mile Road will be moved to the northern end of the DDA corridor across from Causley Buick-GMC and McDonalds. The new installation and relocation are scheduled for completion by spring of 2012.
As a DDA business you have access to displaying general information about your business on the signs. Though pricing and advertising messages are prohibited by MDOT, you can tell customers about new products and services. Contact DDA Liaison Joseph Peruzzi at 586-723-8045 for more information. He updates messages weekly.
New November Avenue Newsletter on its way
The newest DDA Newsetter is now in the mail. To view an advanced copy go to the Newsletters button above for all past copies. If you would like to receive the Avenue in the future, write to Joseph Peruzzi at: j.peruzzi@clintontownship-mi.gov.
Available Properties Listings Updated
The Gratiot Downtown Development Authority has updated its listing of available properties along the corridor. The listings were revised by special DDA intern Erik Van Tongeren. If you should have additional updates, please contact DDA Liaison Joseph Peruzzi at j.peruzzi@clintontownship-mi.gov.
Display your message electronically
Do you have a community message or a bit of news about your business that you would like to see displayed electronically on the DDA's electronic sign at 14 Mile Road and Gratiot. Contact DDA Liaison Joseph Peruzzi at 586-723-8045 or at j.peruzzi@clintontownship-mi.gov and he will make sure you receive free of charge some electronically displayed space.
Please Report property violations on Gratiot
Clinton Township and the DDA have specific rules regarding sign usage and property maintenance along Gratiot Avenue. Unauthorized signs, unsightly properties, trash and other violations should be reported when you see them. If you are concerned about the condition of any property along the Gratiot corridor, please contact Planning and Community Development Director Carlo Santia at 723-8083 or on the web by writing to c.santia@clintontownship-mi.gov.
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