News Flash

The City of Ionia’s March E-Newsletter is now available. View the e-newsletter (PDF) to stay informed with City Council updates, upcoming events, and community news.

The Monthly Road Closures (PDF) provides an overview of current and upcoming road closures within the City of Ionia.

Hiring Election Workers

The Ionia City Clerk is recruiting citizens 18 years or older to serve as paid Election Workers for the August 4, 2026, and November 3, 2026, elections. Workers will be paid $16/hr. during elections. You are not required to live within the City of Ionia to be an Election Worker, but you must attend the City’s mandatory training.

Qualifications

• Available to work from 6:30 AM until approximately 10:00 PM on Election Day.
• Registered Michigan Voter.
• Capable of following instructions.
• Basic computer knowledge.
• Ability to be impartial during an election.
• Available to attend an in-person, unpaid 2-3 hour training session prior to the election.

Duties

• Assist Chairperson with polling place procedures.
• Assist voters in the voting process.
• Process absentee voter ballots.
• Other duties needed by the City Clerk or Ward Chairperson.

To apply: Complete the Election Inspector Application Form (PDF) found on the City Clerk page of the City’s website and submit it to the City Clerk via email at jbowman@ci.ionia.mi.us, by mail to P.O. Box 496, Ionia, MI 48846, or in person at Ionia City Hall, 114 N. Kidd Street, Ionia, MI 48846. Questions? Contact Ionia City Clerk Jonathan Bowman at (616) 523-0147 or at the email provided above.

Applications due by 4:00 PM, Monday, April 20, 2026. EOE/ADA Employer.

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IONIA THEATRE SHOWTIMES | March 6 — March 12Two new movies will be showing at the Ionia Theatre: Hoppers and The Bride!Buy Tickets Online: https://2380.formovietickets.com:2235/

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Ordinance No. 603 — Repeal Chapter 884 and establish Chapter 885 “Downtown Development Authority Development and Tax Increment Financing Plan” to formally approve and adopt a Development and Tax Increment Financing Plan

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held in the Council Chambers of Ionia City Hall, 114 N. Kidd Street, Ionia, Michigan, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 6:30 PM at a meeting of the Ionia City Council, to receive comments on Ordinance No. 603 and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Development and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Plan. If approved, this ordinance will approve and adopt the Development and TIF Plan. Following the public hearing the City Council will be asked to approve the ordinance on second reading. The ordinance will become effective immediately upon publication.

The City of Ionia complies with the "Americans with Disabilities Act." If auxiliary aids or services are required at a public meeting for individuals with disabilities, please contact Jonathan Bowman, City Clerk, at least three (3) business days prior to any such meeting. The following is a summary of the proposed ordinance.

AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL PART EIGHT, TITLE FOUR, CHAPTER 884 ENTITLED “DEVELOPMENT AND TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN FOR THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY” AND ENACT A NEW CHAPTER 885 ENTITLED “DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DEVELOPMENT AND TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN” OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF IONIA TO APPROVE AND ADOPT THE DEVELOPMENT AND TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN FOR THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF IONIA

Section 1     Repeal Chapter 884 “Development and Tax Increment Financing Plan for the Downtown Development Authority”Section 2    Enact a new Chapter 885, entitled “Downtown Development Authority Development and Tax Increment Financing Plan”Section 3    RepealerSection 4    SeverabilitySection 5    Publication and Effective Date

The DDA Development and TIF Plan is proposed for a 30-year term with an initial assessed value for the Development Area of $12,070,390. The tax increment levy applicable within the Development Area consists of the combined millage rates levied by the eligible taxing jurisdictions. The participating taxing jurisdictions and the millage rates subject to capture total 16.9674 mills per $1,000 of taxable value. Over the 30-year term for the Plan, an estimated $3,606,032.75 of tax increment revenues will be captured for use within the Development Area on a variety of projects outlined in the Plan. No persons will be displaced in connection with this Plan. The following chart describes the Development Area.

A complete copy of Ordinance No. 603 and the proposed DDA Development and TIF Plan are available for public review at www.cityofionia.org or at Ionia City Hall. Questions or comments may be directed to Jonathan Bowman, Assistant City Manager and City Clerk at 616-523-0147, jbowman@ci.ionia.mi.us, or in writing to the address provided below.

By: Jonathan Bowman, Ionia City Clerk114 N. Kidd St.P.O. Box 496Ionia, MI 48846

2026 BOARD OF REVIEW NOTICE

CITY OF IONIA114 N Kidd StIonia, MI 48846

BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING SCHEDULE

The City of Ionia Board of Review will be held on the following dates:

• Tuesday, March 3, at 9:00 a.m.  Organizational Meeting
• Monday, March 9, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for Appeals
• Tuesday, March 10, from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for Appeals                                

To schedule a Board of Review appointment and receive a petition, please email rjewell@ci.ionia.mi.us or call 616-523-0146. 

By board resolution, residents can protest by letter, provided the protest letter is received prior to March 9. Postmarks are not accepted.

The tentative ratios and the estimated multipliers for each class of real property and personal property are as follows:

• Commercial, 45.25%  1.1049
• Residential, 46.38%  1.0780
• Industrial, 48.88%  1.0229
• Personal Property, 50.00%  1.0000
• Utility, 50.00%  1.0000

The City will provide necessary reasonable services to individuals with disabilities at the Board of Review meetings upon 7 days notice.

CITY OF IONIAPLANNING COMMISSIONNOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGAbbey Residential Development LLC – PPN: 34-204-031-000-110-23

Request for Site Plan Approval and Special Land Use (SLU) Permit for Parking as an Accessory Use to an Adjacent Lot

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: The City of Ionia Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing at 4:30 PM, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Ionia City Hall, 114 N. Kidd Street, Ionia, Michigan 48846 to receive comments on the requests made by Abbey Residential Development LLC. The requests include a site plan and special land use permit approval to allow for the property owner to use a portion of PPN: 34-204-031-000-110-23 located within the City of Ionia for parking and other similar accessory uses in association with the construction of a commercial building on the adjacent parcel located in Ionia Township. A majority of the development will occur on the Ionia Township property along M-66. The portion of the parcel in the City of Ionia being utilized is approximately 38 ft. by 171 ft. or a total of 6,498 sq. ft. The requests were submitted pursuant to Chapter 1274 of the Zoning Code.  

At the conclusion of the Public Hearing, the Planning Commission may act on the requests. 

Comments regarding the requests may be offered at the Public Hearing, mailed to Jonathan Bowman, Assistant City Manager & City Clerk, at the City Hall address listed above, or e-mailed to jbowman@ci.ionia.mi.us prior to the Public Hearing.

The City of Ionia complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If auxiliary aids or services are required at a public meeting for individuals with disabilities, please contact Jonathan Bowman, City Clerk, (616) 523-0147 at least three (3) days prior to any such meeting.

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) presented its annual report, highlighting the year’s progress and achievements, at the City Council Meeting on March 4, 2026. Through collaboration with local businesses, residents, and community partners, the DDA has advanced initiatives that enhance downtown as a vibrant hub of economic activity, culture, and innovation.

From infrastructure improvements and community events to the development of a social district, temporary public art, and new business growth, efforts have focused on creating a welcoming environment for all who live, work, and visit the district. The DDA remains committed to preserving the area’s unique character while pursuing strategic, long-term growth.

Review the 2025 City of Ionia DDA Annual Report (PDF). 

The Ionia City Council approved the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP): FY2027 - FY2032 during its Special Meeting on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The CIP is a planning document that outlines major projects and investments anticipated over the next six years. The program helps the City plan for improvements to important facilities, equipment, and infrastructure while identifying potential funding sources. Capital projects typically include items valued at $5,000 or more with a useful life of at least one year, such as building improvements, public safety vehicles, and public transportation buses.

Review the Capital Improvement Plan Presentation FY 27-32 (PDF) and Capital Improvement Plan FY 27-32 (PDF).

Match on Main (MoM) is a reimbursement grant program designed to support new or expanding place-based businesses. It provides up to $25,000 in funding to eligible small businesses. Applications must be submitted, administered, and managed by the Downtown Development Authority. Match on Main requires a ten percent (10%) cash match from the business. Eligible businesses must be located in historic downtowns in Michigan. 

On March 1, the application window opens for submission to the Ionia Downtown Development Authority for review. Eligible businesses must submit a local business worksheet to Ionia DDA for panel review by Noon on March 31. 

View the 2026 Match on Main Brochure (PDF) for additional information, including eligible businesses, important dates, and links.

If you have questions, please contact Ionia DDA Director Cassie Rice at 616.527.1420 or crice@ci.ionia.mi.us.