Dowagiac's new M-51 Commercial Center, which opened in 1999, provides the perfect location for commercial and retail prospects, whose operations are too large for the downtown, where most storefronts are 1,500 to 2,400 square feet.

Rather than having these commercial businesses locate haphazard along M-51's entrance into the city, this planned develop-ment by the City of Dowagiac created a beautiful new commercial district. Similar to our healthy central business district, these larger companies are still able to cluster together. Greater convenience is thereby provided to patrons, while businesses solidify their identity through their group setting.

The M-51 Commercial Center is site accessible and zoned for general business. Land prices are $42,000 an acre. The center is served by municipal water, sewer and storm sewer; American Electric Power and SEMCO Energy.

Among its first tenants was Pamida Department Store of Green Bay, Wisconsin; AmeriHost Inn and Suites of Arlington Heights, Illinois; and Dowagiac Area Federal Credit Union.

For further information on the commercial center, contact Sandra Gower, economic development director for the City of Dowagiac, at sgower@dowagiac.org or call (269) 782-2195.