ALPENA — In Northeast Michigan, no two downtowns are exactly alike, and each have unique aspects that distinguish them from one another.

They do have one thing in common, however: They all seek further growth and larger amounts of foot traffic, which would benefit business owners.

It wasn’t long ago that some downtowns in the area had little more than empty storefronts, dated infrastructure, and few events giving people a reason to come downtown.

Over the last decade, however, downtown Alpena has reinvented itself and is now a thriving destination that draws people who live near and far.

Downtown Rogers City also is witnessing a rebirth, as new businesses begin to spring up and local municipalities, business owners, and developers team up to plot the future of the downtown area.

Mike Mahler, Alpena Arena Chamber of Commerce economic development director who also works for economic development firm Target Alpena, works in multiple communities to help spur growth, including in downtowns.

“A thriving downtown just makes a community more attractive, and, right now, there is a great atmosphere in downtown Alpena,” Mahler said. “I think people are more proud of downtown than a decade ago. Now, people want to come downtown and do something. A decade ago, I don’t think it was in the conversation, frankly, because there wasn’t much to do.”

Downtown Rogers City is in the early stages of a rebirth, Mahler said.

Last year, the city was awarded a Michigan Main Street-Elite designation by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. that ensures its downtown will receive direct support from the state that others without the designation may not receive.

Mahler said progress can already be seen as new shops pop up and first-time events are introduced, but there is still much more work to do.

“They are at a place downtown Alpena was several years ago,” Mahler said. “They are just starting to hit the upward pitch. The people working there are dedicated and determined and the future in downtown Rogers City is bright.”

Mahler said that, to push downtown Rogers City to the next level, more restaurants are needed and something like a brewery, which would be busy year-round, would be a large benefit.

Rogers City Mayor Scott McLennan said the rise of prosperity throughout a community, attracting businesses, tourists and residents, requires a healthy and vibrant downtown area.

He said it is critical to have a downtown that offers a variety of unique and fun shops, people living in apartments, entertainment, and green spaces. Once those things are created, people want to invest and open businesses — not only downtown, but countywide, he said.

“Those seeking to invest in a community judge the overall health of the city by looking at its core,” McLennan said. “Is downtown attractive and does it offer amenities that people enjoy? Are buildings full of people going in and out? An inviting downtown speaks to opportunities for growth and investment throughout the entire community.”

Growth in some small downtowns, such as downtown Hillman, may happen at a slower pace, but local officials do as much as they can to help existing businesses while luring new ones.

Hillman Village Manager Dave Post said there may not be as many businesses in the village’s downtown as in Alpena or Rogers City, but there is still adequate shopping, as well as food and drink options. He said the village has worked on improving nearby infrastructure to help make it more appealing.

A lot of work has been done to Hillman’s Emerick Park and campground in the downtown, which attracts people from out of town and those who live and camp from nearby.

“The park is really grown and has a lot of events, and we have nice sidewalks and things are going OK,” Post said. “It is hanging in there. Having the Brush Creek Mill and its events downtown also brings people downtown, so, overall, we’re doing pretty good.”

Kayley Rose owns Harborside Bath and Beauty in downtown Rogers City. She said she returned to Rogers City after she retired and became involved with the Rogers City Downtown Development Authority and assisted in the effort to acquire the Main Street designation. She said that, like others, she was excited about the prospects of the downtown growing and decided to invest in it, too.

“I decided to put my money where my mouth was, to be honest,” Rose said. “I think the sky’s the limit, truthfully. We have so many great things going on. The city, DDA, and Mike Mahler, from Target Alpena, are all working together and done some great things, and we can see the progress. We are having more festivals and events, which bring in people. I feel things are really on the cusp of taking off.”

Besides the city’s marquee event, the Rogers City Nautical Festival, a new craft beer festival was held for the first time this fall and a new mural festival will debut next year. A pirate festival just completed its second event and should remain on the event schedule.

Large projects are planned for downtown Rogers City City and Alpena.

Rogers City is going to have a special house constructed near the downtown that will cater to people with autism where they can receive treatment and enjoy a taste of the lifestyle and the natural resources of Northeast Michigan. After that, a full autism research center will be built.

In Alpena, a new cinema opened early in the summer and the restoration of the former Vaughn department store, which will be a commercial hub, and the reconstruction of the former State Theater is also underway. A new boutique hotel in the old U.S. Post Office in downtown Alpena is also planned.

The current Downtown Development Authority district in Alpena has also been expanded, which will improve the appearance of areas farther down Chisholm Street and 2nd Avenue and perhaps spur more development because of the availability of property in those corridors now eligible to receive DDA grants.

“Right now, there isn’t much room left downtown (Alpena) for many more small businesses,” Mahler said. “Expanding the boundaries will help developers become eligible for grant money because they are in a DDA and transform the vacant buildings we have that way. There is a lot of potential.”

It will take time and investment to help the DDA’s expansion areas catch up to downtown Alpena near and around Culligan Plaza.

Currently, downtown Alpena has a mix of small businesses that have been open for many years and others that are new.

Gwen Paradowaki purchased the Traveling Ladders Boutique on 2nd Avenue in downtown Alpena in July. The shop has been a staple downtown for many years.

When she learned the store was for sale, Paradowski decided to buy it and move to Alpena to live full-time. She said the excitement and growth downtown made her want to be a part of it. Paradowski said that, growing up, there wasn’t much to do downtown and the area had few shopping options, but, now, that has completely changed.

“There is so much energy and so much to do and see,” she said. “Things like the murals, year-round events, and organized activities have led to wonderful things. Outdoor dining and the nice restaurants also made a big difference. There is just a lot more to do than years ago.”

Harrisville doesn’t have the largest downtown. Businesses count on activity at the nearby harbor and Harrisville State Park to thrive. Less than a block from U.S.-23, the primary business district also capitalizes on the traffic going north and south all year round.

Harrisville Mayor Jeff Gerhing said he will continue to promote Harrisville and push to spur more development. He said making sure roads and other infrastructure are viable is also key to economic growth in and around downtown.