About
The Diggs Group, Inc. provides high quality economic development consulting to meet client objectives in a cost efficient and timely manner.
Douglass J Diggs is President/CEO of The Diggs Group Heritage, LLC. Heritage provides economic development consulting through its affiliated companies: Heritage Development Services LLC, City Heritage Services LLC and Heritage Realty Services LLC. The combined firms consult for profit, nonprofit and government entities in the areas of business, real estate and community development. Diggs uses his experience in the areas of business, real estate and economic development combined with his deep commitment to community service to provide quality, professional services to clients.
Previously, Mr. Diggs was Director of the city of Detroit Planning and Development Department. As Director, Diggs oversaw a $57 million budget and staff of one hundred eighty-eight. He was responsible for managing the City’s surplus real estate, including vacant lots and houses, and future development sites. During his tenure, he oversaw the creation of over $4 billion in new development investment in residential, commercial, and industrial facilities that created over 3600 jobs and 4100 new housing units. The department generated over $66 million in land sales during the period.
Diggs oversaw the department’s creation and implementation of the City’s Consolidated Plan for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs including Community Development Block Grant, HOME, Emergency Shelter Grant and Lead Abatement. The City was awarded $47 million by HUD as a result of the City’s submission of its Neighborhood Stabilization Plan (NSP). HUD cited Diggs’ leadership as a key factor in the making the award to the City.
Prior to joining the city, Mr. Diggs was Director of Community and Economic Development for Detroit Renaissance, a non-profit, civic organization comprised of Southeast Michigan’s business leaders. The organization focuses its efforts on economic development and public policy issues.