Earlier this year, the City of Morenci partnered with Lenawee Now and Thomas P. Miller and Associates (TPMA) to complete a retail market study with funding received from a Federal Economic Development Administration Grant. The final report was submitted to city staff in July and will be presented to Morenci City Council at their meeting on August 14.
The project team conducted analyses on area demographics, socioeconomics, commuting patterns, industry capture and leakage, and retail opportunities. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the analysis shows that the most significant retail gap for the city is supermarkets and other grocery stores. The project team further analyzed the current grocery industry market, looking more closely at market value, forecasts, segmentation, competition, site selection considerations, and ownership models.
The process of retail business attraction can take months or even years. To assist the city with next steps, the study provides best practices and recommendations for how the city can leverage assets and begin to address challenges and barriers.
The community is invited to TPMA's presentation at the City Council meeting on Monday, August 14, at 7:30 p.m. This will allow residents to learn more about the retail market study findings and next steps.
Click here to view the City of Morenci Retail Market Research Study.