Meet The DDA Board: Matt Jenkins

Building The Future of Downtown Ortonville: 

Downtown Ortonville has experienced tremendous growth over the past decade, and much of that progress has been guided by the vision of Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Matt Jenkins. From revitalization projects and community events to future placemaking initiatives, Jenkins shared how the DDA is working to create a more welcoming, vibrant, and economically successful downtown.

Creating a Connnected Community

One of the most anticipated projects is the upcoming Connected Corridor. Jenkins believes it will have a lasting impact on both residents and local businesses.

“The Connected Corridor is part of a larger placemaking strategy,” Jenkins said. “Our goal is to make downtown more welcoming by providing amenities that encourage people to come downtown and spend more time here.”

The longer visitors remain downtown, the greater the opportunity for local businesses to benefit. More people walking through downtown means more customers exploring local shops, restaurants, and services.

The project also focuses on accessibility. Public Wi Fi will help residents who do not have reliable internet access while also providing a safer and easier online experience for older members of the community.

How Community Events Strengthen Downtown

Community events have become one of the driving forces behind downtown Ortonville’s success. While these events bring people together, Jenkins says their greatest impact extends beyond attendance.

“One of the most significant benefits is the amount of volunteerism they’ve created,” he said.

Every major downtown event, project and initiative has been organized and operated entirely by volunteers. In 2025 alone, volunteers contributed more than 6,000 hours of service to the community.

Those events also increase foot traffic throughout downtown, giving visitors more opportunities to discover local businesses while enjoying family friendly activities.

A Decade of Transformation

After serving as DDA Director for ten years, Jenkins says the accomplishment he is most proud of is not one specific project. Instead, it is the overall transformation of the organization.

“It took all ten years to get to the point where we could really build our transformation,” he said.

During that time, the DDA developed expertise in securing grants and funding opportunities that now support many of Ortonville’s revitalization efforts. Jenkins believes those years of preparation have positioned downtown for long term success.

For him, the most rewarding part has been working alongside community members.

The majority of what we do is volunteer driven,” Jenkins said. “Working with people and doing the things the community wants has been the most rewarding part.”

What Makes a Downtown Successful?

According to Jenkins, successful downtowns are built through consistent effort and community involvement.

As a nationally accredited Main Street community, Ortonville follows the nationally recognized Main Street approach to downtown revitalization. Jenkins believes those guiding principles have helped shape the community’s success.

“The fabric of the community determines the level of success,” he explained.

Strong local leadership, engaged volunteers, and residents who care about their downtown are what allow revitalization efforts to succeed.

Looking Toward the Future

Jenkins is especially excited about what the next three to five years will bring for downtown Ortonville.

Several placemaking projects have already secured funding and are ready for implementation. These include sidewalk improvements, expanded public Wi-Fi, public art installations, pocket parks, and student involvement through walking tours and community art projects.

Another major opportunity involves expanding the variety of businesses downtown can support.

Currently, the types of businesses that can occupy commercial buildings are limited by existing septic capacity and whether upper floor apartments are present. Solving those infrastructure challenges will create opportunities for a stronger mix of businesses, encouraging even more visitors to spend time downtown.

The Village is also taking a thoughtful approach to future land use planning to ensure growth is carefully managed while preserving Ortonville’s character.

“We’re at the point where the next three to five years are about executing the vision we’ve been building,” Jenkins said.

He believes the biggest challenge moving forward will be continuing to engage the community. As new projects move from planning to reality, community involvement will remain one of the most important ingredients for success.

With strong partnerships, dedicated volunteers, and a clear vision for the future, downtown Ortonville is well positioned for its next chapter. The work being done today is creating a downtown that residents and visitors can enjoy for years to come.