The St. Clair DDA recommends that the initial contact for information on doing business in St. Clair should be directed to:

Laurel Friederichs

St. Clair Chamber of Commerce

Telephone:          (810) 329-2962

Mailing address:  201 N. Riverside Ave., St. Clair, Michigan 48079.

The goal of the St. Clair DDA is to reduce an entrepreneur's risk of doing business in downtown St. Clair.  The following programs have been created to achieve that goal:

• “Come to St. Clair” forgivable loans to new and expanding businesses in the DDA district.  http://www.cityofstclair.com/Web/index.html

• The City of St. Clair has received an allocation of a new-type of on-premises liquor licenses created by Act 501 of the Public Acts of 2006 (“PA 501”). If your business needs a liquor license, these licenses can reduce your capital requirements.

• The services of a Small Business Concierge; Scott Beedon, Telephone: (810) 689-8446; e-mail: ScottBeedon@bluewater.org

  • Directs entrepreneurs to business services, grants and guides them through bureaucratic mazes

• The services of the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County for industrial projects in St. Clair. http://www.edascc.com/

  • David Haynes; telephone: (877) 982-9511; e-mail: DHaynes@edascc.com

• Commissioning the Anderson Economic Group (http://www.cityofstclair.com/Retail%20Market%20Strategy.pdf) to develop a strategy for redevelopment of St. Clair’s downtown.  The AEG report stated

  • • “…there is support for an additional 85,500 square feet of additional retail space…”

    • “…business recruitment efforts on retailers that offer unique merchandise or unique shopping experience and “Discovery” types of retail.”

    • The following is a parcel list of suggested retail categories that The Anderson’s report states could be successful in downtown St. Clair:

      • Boat and other recreational vehicle dealers

      • Home furnishing stores

      • Radio, television and other electronics stores

      • Lawn & Garden equipment and supplies stores

      • Supermarkets and specialty food stores

      • Health and personal care stores

      • Women’s clothing stores

      • Shoe stores

      • Sporting goods store

      • Office supplies, stationery and gift stores

      • Theater companies and dinner theaters

      • Full-service restaurants with liquor licenses

        • “Mediterranean, seafood, ristorante, bistros, grills and sushi would be good choices.”