Wayland Main Street program named among 11 best in U.S.

The City of Wayland’s Main Street program has been rated one of the nation’s 11 best, according to the national organization.

City Councilwoman Jennifer Antel announced the development at Monday night’s council meeting and said representatives from the organization want to interview three members on the local program to learn about what makes it so successful.

Ingrid Miller is the director of the Main Street program, which was established to promote the downtown business district.

In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the council:

• Approved the transfer of the encroachment agreement for two feet at 223 Vine Street from the current owner to the new one.
• Was told by Antel there will be a special information workshop about a proposed rails to trails project from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. The meeting will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Wayland High School Fine Arts Center.
• Learned from Police Chief Steve Harper that he has made a conditional officer to a new police officer, and if an agreement can be reached, the local force will be up to full strength in September, when officer Tom Newberry is expected to be back after knee surgery.
• Heard an objection from Councilwoman Tracy Bivins, who didn’t like the fact Harper bought ID cards for officers from a firm based in the Netherlands. She asked who printed the cards before and was told it was a firm from Allegan. Harper explained that he made the deal because the cost was half. Bivins asked that in the future he do business with companies within the borders of the United States.

PHOTO: The Mine & Yours business at 120 S. Main St. has announced it is closing its doors. It is having a going out of business sale Monday, Aug. 14.