Contact Information
Kimberly Marrone
Director of Economic Development and Planning
City of Oak Park
14300 Oak Park Blvd.
Oak Park, MI 48237
(248) 691-7404
kmarrone@oakparkmi.gov

Boards and Commissions:
Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Corridor Improvement Authority,
Brownfield Redevelopment Authority/Economic Development Authority

What Does An Economic Development Director Do?
As the Economic Development and Planning Director, Kimberly Marrone is committed to the growth and prosperity of the City of Oak Park. She is committed to improving the economic outlook for the City by providing information to promote Oak Park as an appealing place to live, conduct business, and to visit. She works together with all stakeholders, including businesses, property owners, residents, and neighboring communities to provide necessary staffing and resources to achieve continuous growth toward a thriving and sustainable community. She also works with the City's Planning Commission to achieve continual improvement of the City's Zoning Ordinance so the City can be competitive in the 21st Century business market.

She realizes that the results of a flourishing business sector can improve the local and regional economy. This not only provides convenience to residents, but also local businesses can collaborate to use each other's goods and services.

Economic Development can result in a stronger tax base for the City. Ms. Marrone and the Economic Development Department is focused on the implementation of key items recognized in the City's Strategic Economic Development Plan to increase the vitality of the City through the planning and implementation of initiatives. This increases the quality of life and attracts new residents, business owners, and stakeholders to the community.

Biography
Kimberly Marrone is responsible for the Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Corridor Improvement Authority, and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority/Economic Development Authority for the City of Oak Park. During her time in Oak Park, she has landed the largest development in the history of the City (FedEx Distribution Center), attracted development to total approximately $65 million, welcomed numerous new businesses, helped the City become an Oakland County One Stop Ready Community, and made many zoning and ordinance changes.

Prior to Oak Park she served as the Downtown Development Authority Executive Director for the City of Imlay City and the Executive Director of the Imlay City Chamber of Commerce. Her past experiences also include Real Estate, Communications, and Human Resources.

Marrone is a graduate of Oakland University and serves on the Michigan Economic Development Association and Eight Mile Boulevard Association executive boards. She is also a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, Ferndale Chamber of Commerce, American Planning Association, and Michigan Planning Association.

In recent years she has won several awards, including being a three-year recipient of the eCities iLab Best Practices Community, MML Region 5 Race for the Cup, Rotarian of the Year, Four Star eCities Top Performing Community, and Imlay City Area Chamber of Commerce Organization of the Year recipient for the SEED Group.