CALUMET — There is a question among some residents in the village concerning the existence and functions of the Downtown Development Authority and Main Street Calumet, two organizations with seemingly much overlap. Village President Dave Geisler offered some information to help residents understand their differences and similarities.

“The DDA is an arm of the village,” said Geisler, “established by state law and village ordinance, and its funding comes from a tax increment district, and its purpose is to promote the development within the Downtown Development district, which is defined in ordinance.”

The law he is referring to is in the Michigan Compiled Laws, Act 197 of 1975.

According to the function of a DDA is “to correct and prevent deterioration in business districts; to encourage historic preservation; to authorize the acquisition and disposal of interests in real and personal property; to authorize the creation and implementation of development plans in the districts; to promote the economic growth of the districts; to create a board; to prescribe its powers and duties; to authorize the levy and collection of taxes; to authorize the issuance of bonds and other evidences of indebtedness; to authorize the use of tax increment financing; to reimburse downtown development authorities for certain losses of tax increment revenues; and to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state officials.”

In contrast to the DDA, Geisler said MSC was was originally established by the National Task Force for Historic Preservation and the state of Michigan.

“It is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization,” said Geisler, “and it’s funded primarily by contributions from businesses in the area, individuals, and grants.”

While they are two separate organizations, they have very similar intent, he said.

“The Main Street program was established when places like Walmart started pulling businesses away from the downtown area,” Geisler said. “So, it’s a coordinated approach to revitalizing the downtowns. In fact, I believe their motto is ‘Historic preservation through economic revitalization.”

These two organizations have a difficult task: to preserve the history of the 19th century establishment of the village, while at the same time, encouraging 21st century businesses to the area. Originally named Red Jacket, the village grew up just west of the Calumet and Hecla Mining Companies. Company president Alexander Agassiz did not want commercial stores on the mine site, so he created a boundary between the mines and a planned village. The boundary area, first planned as a pasturage for employees’ cows, is now Agassiz Park.

As the wealth of the mine increased, so did the size and wealth of the village, expanding to become one of the most extensive shopping districts in Michigan. As mining declined, and ultimately ended, Red Jacket, now Calumet, contracted as well, and many businesses left, leaving beautiful, but vacant, ornate structures, many of which are of sandstone, brick or both.