NILES TOWNSHIP (WSBT) — Niles Township will be “greener” after the township approved 21 marijuana dispensary licenses at Monday night’s board meeting.
The topic was called out by many residents concerned over the number of shops within the township.
On Tuesday, officials explain the economic impact those businesses could have on Niles Township.
The Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce President says he doesn’t expect all 21 businesses to go through.
Jeff Rea, the Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce President, says that the township is looking to make major investments in places that haven’t had investments in a long time.
“So, we expect significant economic impact from just a redevelopment standpoint, new taxes generated there, and then obviously some of what the township will ultimately be able to collect from licenses and stuff,” said Rea.
Jeff Rea says potentially having 21 dispensaries throughout Niles Township feels like a supply and demand situation. But he says Niles Township is trying to take advantage of Indiana’s lack of action on marijuana.
“For example, when Indiana couldn’t do alcohol sales on Sunday, a lot of people did alcohol right at the state line to try to capitalize on Indiana people that might drive over there for it,” said Rea.
Based on this map, if all 21 businesses go in, South 11th Street between Fulkerson and Stateline Road might feel crowded.
Some of those dispensaries would replace Hacker’s Golf and Games, and even Jay’s Lounge.
“These are signature places that people have become really used to and accustomed to over the years that might now turn into something different,” said Rea.
Rea also believes that dispensaries throughout the city of Niles and Buchanan might feel the competition moving forward.
Back in April, the township voted to allow an unlimited number of dispensaries throughout the township.
Rea says it’s hard for municipalities to govern a certain number of businesses, along with how busy that commercial district already is.
“And so, so if 10 of them open and five of them survive, then we’ve gotten five of those buildings ready for the next user, where they’ve had some major investment in,” said Rea.
Rea is also reminding Niles Township residents that the State of Michigan has made marijuana legal.
And the township has decided to use it as an opportunity to redevelop an important commercial corridor.
Niles Township will be “greener” after the township approved 21 marijuana dispensary licenses at Monday night’s board meeting.The topic was called out by many r Read More
