It takes time to rebuild a community.

We believe that.

That’s why we’re on the side of Rogers City Mayor Scott McLennan, who in a recent story by News staff writer Steve Schulwitz urged patience as the community implements its Michigan Main Street economic development program.

“The bottom line is positive change takes time, and some people think you can just flip a switch and the doors on new businesses start to open,” McLennan told Schulwitz. “This is an ongoing strategy, and we have to lay the foundation to make the community attractive to developers. It is a methodical process.”

It’s been a year since the state named Rogers City a Main Street community, entitling the city to help from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. toward attracting developers, beautification, and more.

Thus far, the work has largely been behind the scenes. Committees have been formed. People have been hired. Plans have been formulated.

The public has yet to see much from the effort, according to the city’s 2022 Main Street impact report that included a survey of more than 500 Rogers Cityans.

About a year in, just 29% of respondents said they see the recent trends downtown as improving or making progress and just 22% said the frequency of their downtown visits had increased.

But we believe Rogers City has laid the groundwork for success, and we agree with McLennan’s statement that “it takes time and it isn’t going to happen overnight. We just need to be patient.”

There will come a time when city officials have to show tangible results. New businesses have to open. More people have to visit downtown Rogers City. Jobs have to be added.

We believe that will happen, but that it will take time, and we urge Northeast Michiganders to continue to support Rogers City while they work hard to bring those things to fruition.