MEDC: Brownfield Redevelopments in Grand Rapids, Ingham County, Owosso Create up to 165 Jobs
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced plans for three major redevelopment projects in Grand Rapids, Owosso and Ingham County that will generate $18.3 million in new investment and up to 165 new jobs. The projects will benefit from assistance provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
“Creating vibrant communities attractive to businesses, residents and visitors is essential to transforming Michigan’s economy,” Granholm said. “These are among many revitalization projects that are transforming our cities into magnets for investment and jobs.”
Downtowns that are vibrant places retain and attract 21st-century talent that want to live, work and invest in Michigan,” MSHDA Executive Director Michael DeVos said. “MSHDA is committed to helping downtowns, both large and small, become vibrant places.”
Ann Arbor News: Motorcycle ride to benefit homeless families
Members of the STAR Touring and Riding Chapter 317 of Ann Arbor are asking motorcyclists to join them and SOS Community Services of Ypsilanti in taking a 60-mile motorcycle ride Sunday through rural Washtenaw County to benefit area children and homeless families.
The police-escorted benefit ride will raise money to offset homeless youth program Washtenaw United Way funding reductions.
"With the tough economy in the region, all community service programs are seeing funding cuts - and we know the United Way is doing all it can," said Ellen Offen, SOS development director.
"But the fact remains, when a homeless family or a child in crisis reaches out, our hand should always be there and funding cuts are threatening the programs."
LSJ: REO Town shows its artsy side
Setting out to make their new home in East Lansing more aesthetically pleasing, Matt and Sarah Grossman decided to head over to the REO Town Art Market on Saturday afternoon.
They weren't disappointed. The couple stood before tables filled with art lining Washington Avenue in REO Town...
"This is my first time here," said Matt Grossman, 28, who bought a vase and a piece of artwork. "It's nice to get out and see places we haven't been. REO Town is pretty impressive, we will be back again."
NOTE: The Trust Fund's Lansing Headquarters are located in REO Town. You can learn more about this historic part of Lansing by visiting the REO Town Commercial Association website.
WLNS: Local Neighborhood Revitalization
They're taking off three layers of shingles and patching up holes in a leaky roof.
Amanda Thomason: "The roof was really really bad a lot of holes. I have a lot of buckets up there."
Brenda Thomason says things got worse when she realized her roof wasn't code compliant and she didn't have the $10,000 to fix it. She says she was afraid she'd lose her home.
Amanda Thomason: "It's scary it's scary it's the last thing I ever want to do."
That's not a concern anymore thanks to dozens of volunteers. They've donated all the labor and materials to repair two houses in the Moores Park community. It's part of an effort to revitalize Lansing neighborhoods.
Amanda Thomason: "Oh God I think it's going to bring a greater sense of pride in our city."
They're hoping their hard work will inspire others to help fix up their communities.
Amanda Thomason: "If you get something going where some work gets done it encourages other people and it really does work."
PR Newswire: State of Michigan Leaders Continue Commitment to Ending Homelessness in Michigan - Tour of the State in August & September
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) announced today that officials from state agencies leading Michigan's Campaign to End Homelessness will tour the state in August and September.
"These meetings will allow representatives from MSHDA, DHS, DCH and CSH to discuss what is being done at the state level to end homelessness in Michigan," said Michael R. DeVos, MSHDA executive director. "Local nonprofit agencies will also discuss how they are collaborating across county lines to end homelessness in their regions. This is a great opportunity for communities to come together and discuss what is being done, and what will be done in the future. This is also a great time for community residents to learn what is being done to end homelessness in their area."
Rapid Growth Media: West Michigan's life sciences industry sixth largest in the nation, and growing
Earlier this week two leading economic development organizations announced that they have joined forces to market the region's life sciences cluster in an effort to attract investment, more research, and more entrepreneurs.
Grand Rapids-based The Right Place, Inc. and Kalamazoo-based Southwest Michigan First also released the results of a joint study that contains investment, incentive, and funding recommendations to bring the region's pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries into the global spotlight.
The region is the sixth largest biopharmaceuticals cluster in the US, with a recent investment of over $1 billion in life science endeavors. In addition, there are over 850 clinical trials currently open in West Michigan.