Meet Dana Walker

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Walker. 

Hi Dana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
In 2006, I opened a gift store in downtown Farmington with a business partner. I absolutely loved owning my own business and fell in love with the community- the business owners, the residents, our customers. The store closed in 2009 when the economy became shaky. Because of the relationships I had nurtured during my stint as an entrepreneur, I landed a position with the Farmington Downtown Development Authority (DDA), working to secure sponsorships and implement a marketing plan for the downtown during a major street and sidewalk renovation. I credit my time spent in Farmington, both as a business owner and as a team member of the DDA, for my passion- Michigan Downtowns. A move to Lapeer County in 2010 and being in the right town at the right time (along with my experiences in Farmington) lead me to eventually become the director for the Imlay City DDA, a position I held for 4 years. During my tenure, I learned how to manage a farmers’ market, promote downtown, implement economic development initiatives, oversee infrastructure projects, and develop positive relationships with downtown stakeholders. I loved what the Michigan Downtown Association (MDA) was providing to its members, and I applied for an open board of directors position the organization advertised in 2018. Fast forward to 2023, and I am the director of the MDA, a statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening Michigan Downtowns. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I began my professional life as an educator, teaching junior and senior high school students. When the opportunity arose, I decided to take a chance and open a small business. I learned so much during the three years the retail store was open! Owning and operating a small business is so challenging and so time-consuming. It was an extremely difficult decision to close the store after putting our heart, soul, and pocketbooks into it, but my business partner and I knew what was best. A small business owner has so many external factors to think of and so many skills to try and master. In 2023, there are even more challenges like keeping up with social media, discovering what the latest trends are, and competing against big retail chains and online sales. Throw in the mix a pandemic, supply chain issues, and rising costs of everything; today’s small business owner really deserves a lot of credit and all of our support. Even with the challenges I faced in 2006-09, I wouldn’t change any of it. Every experience I have had in either downtown Farmington or downtown Imlay City has lead me to my position today with the MDA. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Founded in 1980, the Michigan Downtown Association (MDA) is a state-wide, non-profit organization and a driving force in the interest and growth of downtowns and communities throughout Michigan. The MDA encourages the development, redevelopment, and continuing improvement of Michigan communities and downtowns. Our 212 members support economic development within the State of Michigan and include cities, Downtown Development Authorities, townships, businesses, and individuals. 

As director of the organization, I help to organize and manage three workshops a year, 10 on-demand webinars, and a multitude of networking opportunities for downtown stakeholders from across the State. Our member receive resources specific to downtown management organizations, including shareable reporting templates and guides to best practices. Our Advocacy Committee keeps an eye on Lansing and Washington, D.C., and provides quarterly, and sometimes daily, updates to our member regarding bills specific to anything downtown related. The MDA offers the only educational program specific to the needs of a downtown management organization’s director through our Professional Development Certificate Program. The Michigan Downtown Association created the program to provide training in the essential knowledge areas for downtown professionals and to elevate the stature and value of Michigan downtown professionals. The program is rigorous and challenging to ensure that the result, a certificate of completion, means that the recipient has gained the necessary skills and experience to be considered a well-rounded expert in downtown management.

I believe the biggest accomplishment of the MDA is the fact that we are 40+ years strong, and every year we continue to offer our members more benefits, more advocacy, more networking opportunities, and more relevant educational programming. We believe downtown management is economic development, that the work in a downtown is never complete, and that downtown directors, Downtown Development Authorities, Main Street programs, and other forms of downtown management organizations are key to the future of our state. 

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I’m blessed for I see cities and towns across the State and enjoy every aspect of our Michigan downtowns! Downtowns are multifunctional because they provide places to gather, shop, work, dine, live, worship, be entertained, and enjoy a variety of cultural offerings. The concentration of buildings, dating from a variety of periods, form a unique charm that has evolved over time and reflects the community’s character. The compact footprint of downtown makes it a pedestrian-orientated district with buildings located in a manner that creates continuous facades set close to or on the property line with entry to buildings directly from sidewalks. Above all, downtown acts as the key defining feature of the community’s overall sense of place. 

In a nutshell, our Michigan downtowns serve as the social and economic center of our communities, and downtown management is economic development. The downtown’s walkability, infrastructure, events, small businesses, historic buildings, and amenities all contribute to the economic vitality of a community and region. It starts within the downtown. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.michigandowntowns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michigandowntownassociation
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michigandowntowns
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MIDowntownAssn
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@michigandowntownassociatio6592/featured
• Other: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigandowntowns

Image Credits
Nick Hagen
Jonathan Stepanski