Sharlene Shineldecker - Cherette Group

In this episode of Muskegon Rising, host Aaron Maike sits down with Sharlene Schineldecker, CEO of the Cherette Group, to explore the vision, strategy, and community collaboration behind one of Muskegon County’s most transformative developments, including the Harvey Street corridor project and the arrival of Costco. Schineldecker details how decades of local investment, data-driven site selection, infrastructure planning, and strong partnerships with Fruitport Township, Norton Shores, and Muskegon County enabled a former golf course to become a mixed-use hub featuring Class-A apartments, townhomes, single-family housing, and more than 200 new jobs. The conversation also demystifies tax increment financing, affordable housing economics, and the long-term economic impact of development that prioritizes local labor, sustainable growth, and community needs—underscoring why Muskegon County is emerging as a model for cooperative economic development on Michigan’s lakeshore.