Michigan Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC): What They Mean for Investors and Developers

David Manley
Oct 14, 2025
3 min read

What Is “Redevelopment Ready”?

Michigan’s Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) program is run by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

Its mission: to make local governments faster, clearer, and friendlier for development by training and certifying cities that meet best practices in planning, zoning, and permitting.

In simple terms — if a city is “Redevelopment Ready,” it’s developer-ready.

Example: Muskegon, Grand Haven, and Holland are RRC-certified, meaning their planning processes, master plans, and zoning approvals have been vetted by the state for transparency and efficiency.

Why It Matters for Investors

Investors and builders waste time (and money) in cities that are unorganized or inconsistent.

RRC certification eliminates a lot of that friction by ensuring:

Clear zoning codes and master plans
Predictable approval timelines
Online permitting and application access
Pre-identified redevelopment sites
Consistent communication between planning staff and developers

Key Point: RRC cities are already aligned with MEDC and EGLE programs — which means easier access to tax incentives, grants, and infrastructure support.

The RRC Certification Process

To become certified, a Michigan city must meet six best-practice categories:

Community Planning and Vision
Zoning and Development Regulations
Development Review Process
Recruitment and Education
Redevelopment Ready Sites
Community Prosperity

The MEDC audits each city’s ordinances, master plan, and permitting procedures before awarding certification. Once approved, communities must maintain standards through annual progress reports.

Developer Advantage: These communities often have pre-approved “Priority Redevelopment Sites” — shovel-ready parcels with existing infrastructure and local support.

How to Find RRC Communities

You can view a map of all certified and “engaged” municipalities at:

Michigan Economic Development Corporation – RRC Map

West Michigan examples include:

City of Muskegon
City of Grand Haven
City of Holland
City of Coopersville
Village of Spring Lake (engaged)

These cities often provide downloadable development packets that outline zoning, incentives, and environmental due-diligence reports for target sites.

What It Means for Real Estate Professionals

For Realtors and investors, RRC certification is a shortcut to confidence:

Faster permitting = quicker turnaround times
Predictable zoning = fewer “surprises” mid-project
Public-private collaboration = stronger support for complex deals
Better alignment with MEDC incentives and Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities (BRA)

Example: A developer in downtown Muskegon secured RRC support for a mixed-use infill project and combined that with a Brownfield TIF to offset foundation costs — an approach that would’ve taken months longer in a non-RRC city.

How to Leverage RRC as an Investor

Search for RRC-certified municipalities when scouting development sites.
Review each city’s “Redevelopment Ready Sites” for parcels with utilities and environmental reports already done.
Coordinate early with city planners — RRC communities are trained to help projects succeed.
Stack incentives: RRC → MEDC → Brownfield → Local TIF → Federal Historic Tax Credits.

Pro Tip: Pairing RRC locations with Opportunity Zones or Brownfield-qualified parcels can compound your returns while minimizing red tape.

Final Thoughts

The RRC program has quietly transformed how Michigan cities attract development. For investors, that means fewer barriers, faster approvals, and a direct path to state-backed support.

If you’re exploring redevelopment in West Michigan, I can help you identify RRC-certified locations, evaluate local incentives, and connect you with planners who can green-light projects faster than traditional routes.

Because in real estate development, pre-qualified cities make pre-qualified deals.