Strategic Impact | Ottawa County, MI

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Welcome to the Department of Strategic Impact!

Whether it’s broadband, groundwater, or evaluation and data support, our staff work on a multitude of initiatives that impact the lives of the citizens we serve.

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GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY

Be Water Wise: A Groundwater-Saving Initiative

Over the last decade, Ottawa County residents and businesses have experienced issues related to groundwater, including reports of diminishing capacity and the presence of elevated levels of sodium chloride in some water wells.

Explore the Initiative

FARMLAND PRESERVATION

Protecting Our Agricultural Heritage

With area farmers producing more than $726 million in products annually, Ottawa County is an agricultural powerhouse. Ottawa County also has a growing population and has a low unemployment rate. But this growth comes at a cost to agriculture: according to the most recent Ag Census, Ottawa County lost 8% of its farms and 16% of its farmed acreage. Ottawa County’s Farmland Preservation Program seeks to protect this vital industry and slow the loss of farms and farmland through programmatic efforts, including the Purchase of Development Rights Program.

Help Protect Our Farms

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Brownfield Redevelopment Initiatives

Brownfields are idle, underutilized, or vacant industrial or commercial properties where redevelopment is hindered by real or perceived environmental contamination, blight, or functional obsolescence. Many sites sit unused for decades because the cost of cleanup for these sites can be high and uncertain. DSI works to effectively deploy and promote state-authorized programs to stimulate economic growth.

See How It Works

Highlighted Projects

Broadband Expansion Project

In spring 2024, Ottawa County and broadband partner 123NET received final grant approvals for the state’s Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Network grant. Approximately 250 miles of fiber is being built to improving access for nearly 6,000 addresses.

Groundwater Monitoring Network

The quality and quantity of water within the source of groundwater for many county residents is declining. To ensure residents have access to clean and safe groundwater for generations, the County is building a system to monitor groundwater in key areas. Contact us to learn more.

Contact Us

Small-Footprint Home Development Concept

The Ottawa County Housing Commission, in collaboration with DSI, is working to identify solutions to combat the rising cost of housing in the county. One of these potential solutions is exploring smaller footprint homes.

Learn More

Communities Boost Housing

While a lack of affordable housing continues to be a challenge for Michigan, Ottawa County communities are finding solutions. Just 15 months after the state passed legislation expanding the use of tax-increment financing to support certain housing development activities, there are now three projects in the works to help residents.

County Statistics

The Department maintains a variety of up-to-date demographic and economic statistics for Ottawa County and its local units of government.

Explore the Data

Focus Areas

Economic Development

Our goal is to keep businesses thriving by bringing and keeping good jobs with competitive wages to the county, ensuring reliable tax revenue so we can continue to provide effective services.

Land Use

The Land Use team works to collaboratively ensure wise usage of the county’s finite space while accounting for disparate interests.

Evaluation & Research

Staff perform long-term evaluation projects and build evaluation capacity for various County departments, local units of government, and non-profit organizations.