A new use has been found for the former U.S. Post Office in Stevensville.

The Stevensville Village Council has granted a 12-year Commercial Redevelopment Act tax abatement to Applied Arts, a creative services agency, to upgrade and move into the building. Cornerstone Alliance Economic Development Director Greg King tells us this is a great project.

“So it’s transforming the post office building in the downtown district into the headquarters for Applied Arts, which is a creative services agency,” King said. “The building is going to accommodate, I think, 11 additional staff and potential room for future growth.”

King says it will have some printing and office space. The tax break approved by the village will freeze the property’s taxes for 12 years so Applied Arts can recoup development costs.

Applied Arts CEO Tyson Thorne says the company is thrilled to bring its headquarters to Stevensville. King told us in the modern economy, Stevensville is a great place to base a company.

“I believe they are coming here because of the company’s owner has a family tie to the area. So that, I think, is what kind of drew them to the area, and they want to grow here in Southwest Michigan.”

The former U.S. Post Office at 2797 Kimmel Street was constructed in 1963, and most recently housed Black Arsenal, a gun shop. However, it’s been vacant since 2022.

The 3,300-square-foot facility will undergo a renovation project starting in late spring, with completion expected by the early fall of this year.