Hillcrest Apartments, located at 164 Short Street, Manistee, has offered our community 45 broadly affordable housing units. Constructed by Hollander Development Corporation, with help from the Little River Holdings LLC, MSHDA, and the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Team. The Hillcrest Apartments has been a significant addition to the County’s housing stock. The 45-unit apartment complex targets households with below 80% of the area's median income. 

Completed in late 2022, Hillcrest Apartments has been very successful and is a symbol of what can be accomplished when collaboration takes place. 

In 2023, The Outsider transformed an old, blighted building on the west end of River Street into a vibrant new anchor business, significantly enhancing our downtown area. By revitalizing this key building, The Outsider has filled a crucial gap on River Street, turning vacant space into a bustling hub of activity.

The Outsider's grand opening in the summer of 2023 introduced a fantastic new dining experience to downtown Manistee. Beyond its tasty menu, the restaurant features an extensive arcade and a beautiful outdoor seating area, offering patrons a diverse and engaging atmosphere. This development not only enriches our community's social scene but also contributes to the economic vitality and aesthetic appeal of our downtown district. 

In less than a year of operating, The Outsider reached another milestone with the addition of a bar expansion. By acquiring a liquor license, The Outsider rebranded itself as a family tavern, beer garden, and pinball arcade. This transformation has provided Manistee residents and tourists alike with a unique and exciting new dining option, further solidifying The Outsider's role as a key destination in our community.

The City of Manistee's $23 million investment in our community's wastewater treatment facilities marks a significant enhancement to our public infrastructure. This substantial upgrade has expanded the plant's holding capacity by 6 million gallons, ensuring the efficient management of future sewage discharges into Manistee Lake. This forward-thinking investment bolsters our infrastructure and safeguards our waterways' health, positioning Manistee for sustainable growth and development. By prioritizing these essential improvements, the City demonstrates a strong commitment to both environmental stewardship and the community's long-term prosperity.

Since the 1960s, M R Products has been a staple manufacturing company within Manistee County. Producing crowd control and visual barriers, M R Products invested $4.2 million to expand its operations in the Village of Copemish. Through the expansion, M R Products has expanded its footprint and created 25 new jobs.

“The sustained growth and success of M R Products, a female-owned company in Copemish, continues to provide great jobs in rural Manistee County,” said Stacie Bytwork, CEO and President of the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Through the expansion and investment made in 2022, M R Products will continue to be a leader in manufacturing within the region for years to come.

In October 2023, the Bear Lake community saw the rehabilitation of a once-blighted property. With the help of the County Land Bank and Lakeshore Construction, Tiny Developers, Inc., a non-profit organization, revitalized a three-bedroom house and offered affordable housing to the village of Bear Lake. The three-bedroom house averages rooms of 375 square feet and is being sublet for $1 per square foot.

Munson Healthcare Hospital is investing $3.7 million in an emergency department renovation. The upgraded facilities will provide better care with equipment, privacy, and additional safety designs.

Munson also completed a 44,000-square-foot Community Health Center in 2018 at its Parkdale campus. The $13 million investment helped improve the hospital's ability to deliver quality care to patients.