Partner with Downtown Iron Mountain: Sponsorship Opportunities for 2026
The Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is excited to offer a variety of sponsorship opportunities for businesses and organizations looking to make a meaningful impact in our community. Your support helps fund everything from streetscape improvements and downtown beautification efforts to revitalization projects through our Building Improvements Grants program (BIG).
This year, there are several standout opportunities for sponsors:
- Oktoberfest Signature Sponsorship – For the first time in many years, the Signature Sponsorship is available. This is a premier opportunity to take center stage at one of our most anticipated annual events and gain top-tier recognition.
- Summer Roll Out Festival – Our brand-new festival is packed with family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and community engagement. Sponsoring this event is a great way to showcase your business to a wide audience and be part of Downtown Iron Mountain’s newest celebration.
- Out To Lunch Season Sponsorship – Support free live music across 10 weeks from June through August. This sponsorship directly brings live entertainment to our community while connecting your organization to a popular downtown tradition.
- Children’s Area Sponsor for Oktoberfest and Italian Fest – Support family-friendly activities at one or both festivals! This is a great way to highlight your organization to families and reinforce your commitment to community engagement.
The DDA offers sponsorship tiers ranging from $250 to $6,500, allowing every organization to find a level that fits their goals. Our staff will work closely with your team to ensure your sponsorship aligns with your marketing objectives and delivers meaningful impact, whether through event recognition, social media promotion, print and radio mentions, or event signage. Top-tier sponsors may also receive additional benefits, including co-hosted social media posts, banners at events, and naming rights for stages or key festival areas.
Sponsoring DDA events and programs is a way to actively support the vibrancy of downtown Iron Mountain. Your involvement helps bring people together, enhances the downtown experience, and strengthens the community while giving your organization valuable exposure to residents and visitors alike.
To explore the full lineup of sponsorship opportunities, visit our Sponsorship Opportunities page. We would love to have a conversation with you about how your organization can be involved. Contact Katherine Mentel, Event Coordinator, at events@downtownironmountain.com or Tim McCauley, Program Coordinator, at programs@downtownironmountain.com, or call 906-774-8534 (leave a message if we’re away).
Thank you for considering supporting Downtown Iron Mountain through sponsorship!
– – –
The Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority (DDA) was established in 1978 with the purpose of improving and maintaining infrastructure, buildings, and public spaces within the Downtown District. Current DDA functions also include downtown beautification through gardens and public art, organizing and conducting community events, attracting and promoting businesses, and planning for continuing improvements to the Iron Mountain downtown area.
Volunteer Opportunities with Downtown Events!
Volunteer Sign-Ups are OPEN for Downtown Iron Mountain's 2025 Festivals!
Volunteering is a fun and rewarding way to get involved in the community. The DDA 2025 festival season is packed with amazing events, and YOUR help is a key element to making all Downtown Iron Mountain events a success!
This is a great opportunity for:
- Students – Earn volunteer hours & gain experience!
- Individuals – Give back and be part of the excitement!
- Businesses – Support your community & foster team building!
- Brew Fest – June 14 (21+ Volunteers ONLY)
- Italian Fest – August 9
- Oktoberfest – September 27
Preparation of Downtown Development and
Tax Increment Financing Plans Is Underway
The DDA has begun work on a downtown plan and tax increment financing plan (Downtown/TIF plan) for the Iron Mountain downtown district. The purpose of that effort is to develop goals, strategies, and projects to guide new development, redevelopment, housing, business growth, and public facilities within the downtown district over the next 25 years. Last fall, the staff and the DDA Business Development Committee came up with some preliminary goals, and we’re currently compiling data and information to guide the next steps of the process. We’ve created a Downtown/TIF plan page on this website with detailed information on downtown development authorities, downtown plans, and tax increment financing. That web page will be updated as the plan work progresses, and will serve as an information portal to keep everyone informed.
In tandem with the current work on the plan, the DDA is seeking 9 residents of the downtown district who are interested in helping to guide the planning effort. That group, referred to in Michigan law that guides the Downtown/TIF plan as the “Development Area Citizens Council” (DACC) would get together 3 or 4 times over the next 9-12 months. Letters were mailed in late March to all 205 residences within the downtown district, including single-family homes and apartment units, asking for their participation on the DACC. Please go to the DACC page on this website for more information, and please do let us know if you are interested.
Some of you may be familiar with the City of Iron Mountain Master Plan that was adopted a few years ago in 2021 by the City Council. That plan is essentially the City’s policy document to guide decisions related to land use, housing, economic development, public facilities, and environmental protection over the long term. The Master Plan also includes policies and recommendations pertaining specifically to the downtown area. The Downtown/TIF plan under preparation will take those recommendations into consideration, and when completed and adopted will serve as a refinement and update to the Master Plan.
Over the next few months and into spring/summer 2026, there will opportunities for everyone to get involved, as stakeholder participation in the planning process is crucial to the success of the Downtown/TIF plan. That means residents, property owners, business people, and other interested parties from anywhere in the area – not just downtown district residents – will be offered an opportunity to provide input and suggestions for the future of downtown. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram pages, and also this website for more information in the coming months.
Please contact Tim McCauley, DDA Program Coordinator, if you have questions or concerns, or if you are interested in being involved. Call 906-774-8534 or email programs@downtownironmountain.com
Our Vision, Mission & Purpose
We strive to create a flourishing, historic downtown destination in Iron Mountain, Michigan.
We promote economic growth by organizing community events, attracting new businesses and advancing the beautification and historic preservation within the Downtown District.
We exist to advocate and strengthen Iron Mountain’s entire Downtown District.
The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board of Directors and staff coordinate Downtown Iron Mountain programs and events, advance the organization’s vision, mission, and purpose, and promote downtown businesses through website, social media, print publications, and other channels. The DDA conducts roughly 20 events and festivals every year, coordinates planting of flower gardens and hanging baskets throughout the downtown area, and engages in other beautification activities such as placement of street banners. The DDA also continues its long-standing local grant program to assist in the renovation of downtown buildings and elimination of blight. All of these DDA functions bring about a more vibrant, fun, and diverse center of the community.
The DDA relies upon, and is grateful for, the participation of over 130 volunteers who serve on committees, assist in conducting events, and plant & water flowers / gardens. Downtown Iron Mountain festivals and events are attended by thousands of people every year, and are sponsored by many different organizations downtown and throughout the community. Sponsors can partner with the DDA to contribute to the economic vitality of Iron Mountain while enjoying unique opportunities for marketing exposure. Please browse the pages of this website to become familiar with DDA activities and events, and contact us if you have any questions or would like to get involved by volunteering, sponsoring, or serving on the Board or committees.
