Bloomingdale Food Enterprise Hub — Community Meeting Agenda (April 4, 2026)
Date: April 4, 2026 | Time: 12 PM | Location: Bloomingdale, MI
Welcome & Context (5 min)
Welcome from Kurtis Dickerson, BDA Executive Director
Brief recap: Wagoner's Grocery closed December 27, 2025 — Bloomingdale is now a food desert
Why we're here: to present our plan for the Bloomingdale Food Enterprise Hub — a community-owned food access initiative for Bloomingdale
What is a Food Co-op? (10 min)
A cooperative grocery is owned and governed by its members — the people it serves
Profits stay in the community rather than leaving to outside shareholders
Members have a vote in how the store is run
Bloomingdale's advantage: We're not starting from scratch — BDA is already incorporated, bylaws adopted, board seated, and grant work underway for the Bloomingdale Food Enterprise Hub
📋 Resource: FCI Food Co-op Development Framework Checklist
Where We Are: FCI Framework Stage Assessment (10 min)
BDA has already completed significant Stage 1 milestones:
✅ Core group formed (BDA board)
✅ Vision established (Bloomingdale Food Enterprise Hub)
✅ Incorporated as Michigan nonprofit
✅ Bylaws adopted (November 26, 2025)
✅ Board of Directors seated
✅ Bank account opened
✅ Community engagement underway (Facebook, meetings)
✅ Preliminary business concept articulated
✅ Grant application in progress (USDA RBDG)
What we're working toward in Stage 2:
Professional market study
Full pro forma financial model
Formal business plan approval
Member-owner recruitment campaign launch
Site confirmation (110 N. Van Buren St.)
Funding Strategy (15 min)
Current Funding Picture
USDA RBDG Grant $465,000 In Progress — rated STRONG
MDARD Food Systems Grant TBD Exploring
CDFI Financing $100,000–$300,000 Planning
Member-Owner Equity $50,000–$150,000 Campaign pending
Land Contract / Bridge TBD Negotiating
Community Donations TBD Early stage
Building Acquisition
Target: 110 N. Van Buren St. (former Wagoner's) — asking $150,000
BAIC holding building — land contract or bridge financing being explored
Grant funds + CDFI + member equity = path to acquisition
Total Phase 1 Estimate
Approximately $1.94M across all funding sources for full build-out
Starting point: acquire building, minimal renovations, open with lean operations
📋 Resource: FCI Sources & Uses Budget Template
📋 Resource: FCI Guide to Starting a Food Co-op
How to Get Involved (10 min)
Become a Member-Owner
Founding member share amount: TBD (to be set by committee)
Member-owners get voting rights, potential dividends, community ownership stake
Goal: 100+ founding members before opening day
Volunteer
Committee opportunities: Finance, Member Outreach, Site Development
Event support, social media, community outreach
Spread the Word
Share BDA updates on Facebook and in the community
Invite neighbors, local businesses, farmers to get involved
Open Discussion & Q&A (15 min)
Key questions to address:
What do you want to see in a community grocery?
What concerns do you have about the cooperative model?
How can you personally contribute?
What partnerships or resources can you bring to the table?
Action Items & Committee Formation (10 min)
We are forming three working committees today. Here are our five immediate action items:
Action Item 1 — Form the Feasibility Committee
This committee will conduct the market study, develop the pro forma financial model, and assess site viability at 110 N. Van Buren St. First meeting to be scheduled within two weeks.
Action Item 2 — Form the Networking Committee
This committee will identify and connect with local farmers, food producers, suppliers, and regional partners. Goal: build the supply network before opening day. Also responsible for CSA program development — our fastest path to community food access.
Action Item 3 — Form the Governance Committee
This committee will begin the formal cooperative organizational development work — drafting the member-owner program, setting share pricing, developing bylaws for the co-op entity (separate from BDA), and preparing for the first member election.
Action Item 4 — Schedule Committee Kickoff Workshops
Each committee will hold a kickoff workshop within 30 days. BDA will provide facilitation support and FCI framework resources to guide the work.
Action Item 5 — Sign Up Today
Sign up at this meeting to join a committee, become a founding member-owner (amount TBD), or stay connected via email updates. Every name on the list matters.
Next Steps & Timeline (5 min)
USDA RBDG application submitting April 2026
MDARD grant application April 15, 2026
Member-owner campaign launch Spring 2026
Market study begins Immediately — Spring 2026
CSA launch (moonshot) Summer 2026 — ASAP
Building acquisition decision Spring 2026
Store opening (moonshot goal) Summer 2026 (August–September target)
