Tim McCauley joined the DDA as program coordinator in June 2023, with Katherine Mentel taking over as event coordinator this past September.

McCauley, a native of Fenton, Mich., became familiar with the Iron Mountain-Kingsford area when he met his wife, a Kingsford native, at Michigan State University in the 1980s.

After residing in Lansing, Milwaukee, and Raleigh, N.C. for many years, they moved to the local area in January 2022.

McCauley has degrees from Michigan State University and Marquette University, and a professional background in urban planning, business, finance, marketing and websites.

IRON MOUNTAIN DOWNTOWN Development Authority Program Coordinator Tim McCauley. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

“I’m thrilled to be working among some great people involved in the continued revitalization of downtown Iron Mountain,” McCauley said.

Mentel graduated from Kingsford High School in 2017 and is now pursuing a bachelor of sustainable management through the University of Wisconsin Online Collaborative program.

Before joining the DDA, Mentel worked as a project manager for the Wild Rivers Invasive Species Coalition and as a marketing intern for the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council.

“I am passionate about my family, community and the environment, especially after growing up in the beautiful Upper Peninsula,” she said.

When the opportunity to work at the DDA arose, she was ready for a career change; however, Mentel wanted to ensure the new role would allow her to stay active and engaged in the community.

IRON MOUNTAIN DOWNTOWN Development Authority Event Coordinator Katherine Mentel. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

The position has proven to be just right, she said, as it provides her the chance to create community events that bring people together in a positive way.

In addition, Mentel enjoys connecting with local organizations, meeting community members and contributing to the future development of downtown.

Since joining the DDA, the duo both have witnessed the passion people have for this community and the downtown area.

“Being surrounded by this enthusiasm is a strong motivation for me to work hard to bring these events to life,” Mentel said.

McCauley agreed and said he is excited to continue to work with Mentel on upcoming DDA events and to meet with business and community leaders on future programs.

KINGSFORD HIGH SCHOOL senior Lily Villringer is the second intern to work with the Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority. (Contributed photo)

This year, McCauley is focused on moving Iron Mountain ahead with its “Downtown Plan.”

McCauley explained the “Downtown Plan” is required under Michigan law when a DDA Board decides to utilize tax increment financing, or TIF. The plan provides background information and rationale for goals and recommendations pertaining to future development and redevelopment, historic preservation, housing and business improvement.

These goals and recommendations will be developed with public participation and will culminate in a series of both general and specific projects in the companion TIF plan.

Preliminary work on the “Downtown Plan” started last fall. To keep moving ahead, the DDA is seeking a minimum of nine residents for a “development area citizens council” that will serve throughout the preparation process.

“We are ready to have visioning sessions this year — I really want to make sure it gets done this year,” he said.

When completed, the plan will enable use of a significant local source of revenue to fund a wide variety of projects to stimulate downtown revitalization over a 20- to 25-year timeframe.

The team has also spent the past couple months planning for the year’s major festivals, events and programs.

The DDA’s main goal this season is to ensure that events are as enjoyable and safe as possible for attendees, they said.

They have already booked a mix of local and out-of-town bands for all of its festivals and Out to Lunch program. “Our music lineup this year is rockin,'” Mentel said.

“We are really happy with the variety, including having several new bands this year,” McCauley added.

Oktoberfest will feature the 15-piece Bavarian band Dorf Kapelle. “We want to bring more of the Bavarian-themed activities back,” he said.

McCauley said they are looking to bring a version of bocce to Italian Fest.

Another new addition is D’s Creative Faces, which will do face painting at Italian Fest, Oktoberfest, and the Pumpkin Walk.

They are also looking at ways to grow Brew Fest attendance, McCauley said.

Additionally, they are working on streamlining operations that includes offering presale ticket for all events, better event signage and maps, and providing earlier sign-up opportunities for volunteers, plus improving Girls Night Out, and Trunk or Treat.

They will focus as well on keeping the DDA’s website and social media pages up to date. “We are always trying to interact with the public and get that information out,” McCauley said.

Mentel said they still have a lot of new and exciting things in the works, including new partnerships, food vendors and activities.

However, the best way to see everything is to join them at the events, she added.

McCauley noted the city council last year approved a “social district” in the downtown that allows off-site consumption of alcoholic beverages at designated businesses within that area. These districts can be set up under a 2020 law intended to spur economic activity and provide flexibility for hospitality businesses.

The DDA will participate in Small Business Awareness Week from May 4-10 as the first official activity of the year.

They will then move into flower season and the Farmers & Artisans Market starting the first week of June, followed by the kickoff of its Out to Lunch live music program every Thursday through the summer at the Systems Control downtown stage area on Iron Mountain Street.

Sponsorship is now being sought for all of its programming, events and festivals.

“Many of our major sponsors return, but there are always opportunities available at various levels to support what they are interested in,” he said.

Both expressed appreciation for the support they receive from the community.

“I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our sponsors and volunteers, who are the backbone of these events,” Mentel said.

The DDA will host its volunteer appreciation event in March, in hopes to generate early sign-up.

“We are trying to enhance the experience and get the community involved,” McCauley said. “We want to make volunteering fun.”

The DDA is in its second year of the internship program with the marketing and entrepreneurship class at the Dickinson-Iron Career Technical Education Center and coordinated by instructor Amy Bracket.

Kingsford High School senior Lily Villringer is the DDA’s second intern. She said working with the DDA has been a very fulfilling experience, as she gets to work on projects to help the community come to life.

The DDA hopes to maintain an internship every school year as “an opportunity for students to learn more about marketing for events and public programs and get hands-on experience tailored to their interests,” Mentel said.

This will be McCauley and Mentel’s first year of planning everything together from the start. “We expect another successful year,” McCauley said.

“Since joining the team, I am incredibly grateful to Tim, the DDA and DDA Board of Directors, our committees, local business owners and community members for their warm welcome and support in helping me learn the various aspects of my role,” Mentel said. “As I’ve mentioned before, these events rely on the collaboration of many individuals and organizations.”

Anyone interested in getting involved through sponsorship, volunteering, serving on a planning committees or citizens council can call the DDA office at 906-774-8534 or go to downtownironmountain.com.

The DDA Board of Directors currently has two open seats with terms ending in April. Those interested are encouraged to apply at downtownironmountain.com/boardinfo.