Community & Economic Development


The Village of Decatur is committed to providing clearly defined expectations for development. One of those expectations is to clearly identify points of contact for development review processes:

Zoning Administrator - Joe Kline - SAFEbuilt - 269-729-9244 - Email
Village Manager - Christopher Tapper - Village of Decatur - 269-423-6114 - Email
Village Planner - Rebecca Harvey - Village of Decatur - 269-423-6114 - Email 
Economic Development - Zach Morris - Market Van Buren - 269-519-6142 - Email

The Village of Decatur will also provide conceptual site plan review meetings which are available to any potential developers. The following link will provide crystal defined expectations and checklist to be reviewed at the conceptual site plan meeting. The outcome of this meeting will provide key steps of application from submittal to issuing of the permit; timelines; identifies who reviews applications, identifies approval standards. All development and building applications are located at Village Hall or can be found on our website under the Forms & Applications tab. Additionally, developer may refer to the guide to development flow chart of development process. It should be noted that a formal public hearing is not required for permitted uses, but allow for public comment and other engagement as deemed necessary. The Village of Decatur also would like to indicate to developers the following development fees schedule which is adopted by Village Council with the annual appropriations bill. Decatur Village accepts several means of payment including check, cash or credit card. Questions regarding the documentation of the community's system for tracking development applications will be addressed through Community Core powered by SAFEbuilt.    

Since its beginning, Decatur has attracted a variety of industries that have helped the area grow and draw in new settlers and residents. The first settlers arrived at “Little Prairie Ronde” in 1829 to farm the rich soil and take advantage of the abundance of the surrounding lakes and forests. The coming of the railroad in 1848 determined the location of the Village of Decatur and also opened the door to the industry.

By the turn of the 20th century, Decatur had attracted sawmills, a tannery, a stave factory, several flour mills, grain, and produce warehouses, and a stockyard. Immigrants from Ireland, Holland, and central Europe poured into the area surrounding the village to farm the fertile land.

This history of industry and spirit of commerce continues in Decatur today. Ideally situated between Detroit and Chicago on I-94, Decatur offers business owners a sound employee base and room for growth.

SCHOOLS
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Decatur Public Schools are committed to providing every student with the academic challenges and support necessary for individual success. With nearly 1,200 students from pre-Kindergarten through twelfth grade, our staff commits to the belief that “it takes a village” to raise a child. That’s why Decatur Public Schools shows its dedication to student advancement with state-of-the-art technology facilities, computers in every classroom, new gym facilities, and more.

To find out more about Decatur Public Schools, please call (269) 423-6800 or visit www.raiderpride.org.

INDUSTRY

While there are over 50 companies involved in Decatur’s Chamber of Commerce, a handful of large companies drive Decatur’s economy.

Special-Lite, Inc. produces high-quality Fiberglass Reinforced Polyester, Aluminum Flush, Stile and Rail, Colonial, Wood Grain, and Sanitary doors in many customs and standard configurations to meet your needs.

Midwest Fasteners is the second largest employer in the Decatur area with over 100 loyal employees. Midwest Fasteners is an industry leader in the manufacturing and supply of Stud Welded Fasteners and Stud Welding Systems. The company recently completed a large expansion making room for its expected growth.

Dole located at 101 W Bronson Street, is dedicated to the highest quality standards, providing peoples nutritious, farm-fresh products that tase delicious and exceed expectations. Combining responsible farming practices, comprehensive programs for food safety, pledged transparency, and state-of-the-art production, we give people the power to experience healthy living like never before. Great products start with amazing people. That’s why we work tirelessly to continuously improve the lives and livelihoods of our farmers and workers, offering competitive wages, substantial benefits, and safe work environments. Our main core values of Integrity, Loyalty, Commitment and Respect are there to guide every decision we make.  At Dole, we believe that happy hands always grow the most delicious produce. The Dale Foundation, created and launched by Dole in 2001, the Dale Foundation helps improve the lives of workers, their families, and the surrounding communities. Thanks to the help of local stakeholder groups, we’ve developed a comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility program, which currently supports over 82,000 people with health, education, and other valued services. Dole continues this core commitment by developing similar programs throughout the organization, such as a comprehensive environmental program in Valle La Estrella in Costa Rica in collaboration with GIZ, the German federal development agency.

Cargill July 2013, Cargill acquired the grain storage and crop inputs assets of NorthStar Grain LLC and associated properties in Decatur in southwest Michigan. Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial, and industrial products, and services.  In the United States, Cargill’s grain storage business has more than 115 farm service centers in 18 states with 1,500 employees. It is one of more than 70 businesses within Cargill. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 142,000 people in 67 countries.  Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation and is committed to applying its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental, and social challenges wherever it does business.  For more information, visit www.cargill.com.

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AVAILABLE SPACE

105 N Phelps Street, Decatur, MI 49045 - See Listing

206 W Delaware Street, Decatur, MI 49045 - See Listing

Other Resources - See Listing

Decatur Downs