LANSING — The city of Williamston and the Williamston Theatre Project have received nearly $30,000 in grants from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA), according to an announcement released by the office of State Representative Barb Byrum (D-Onondaga).
The city of Williamston received a $16,900 grant from the MCACA, which it will use to upgrade theatrical sound and lighting capabilities, replace a portion of the roof, repair and reconfigure the shop area and install new water heaters at the Williamston Theater. The Williamston Theatre Project received a $12,300 grant it will use to create and present a new theatrical piece: "Maidens, Mothers and Crones: Voices from Women of the Midwest." There will be 20 performances of the piece over four weeks.
Congratulations to all the folks at the Williamston Theatre, and best of luck with the new production!
"We brought our business here because we knew it was only a matter of time before Clawson had its day," said Allan. "It's perfect for small businesses to come to."
Yes, something is happening to Clawson. The little city sandwiched between its big corporate brother Troy and attention-grabbing sister Royal Oak, Clawson is quickly overcoming its middle-child anonymity and breaking out on its own.
"We're buzzing right along," said Clawson City Manager Richard Haberman. He notes how other downtowns in the area are struggling with building vacancies and stagnant business revenues. That's not the case for Clawson.
"Our situation is going the opposite; we've had a lot of growth in the last few years," he said.
While Clawson's developing success story can be attributed to coincidence, timing or other things out of the city's control, Haberman scoffs at such an idea.
"I think it's more than an accident," he said. "I think it's called investing for future success."
City officials and businesses started years ago, he added, reviewing business ordinances, saving for road repairs and making a plan for downtown that would attract business owners, pedestrians and shoppers.
The sentence that stuck out in our mind?
"I think it's called investing for future success."
Bingo –– long-term planning is what it's all about when it comes to downtown development.
For her part, Phillips can't wait to see where Clawson's downtown goes from here.
"You see people just walking around; you never used to see that," she said. "I think we were in a slump; I think (now) we're in a really good position. We've really turned things around."
The folks in Clawson seem to have a great attitude that community leaders across the state would be wise to adopt.
Sure, times are tough in Michigan, but nothing is going to improve by simply moping around. People have to be willing to look at the big picture, capitalize on a city's assets, and plan for long-term growth. Our state's economic revival isn't going to happen overnight, but with a little patience and a lot of hard work, we can move Michiagn forward.
Michigan Development News is a weekly series that features affordable housing and economic development-related news stories from across the state. Feel free to submit a story suggestion by leaving a note in the comments section.
Muskegon Chronicle: "Our Working Poor: Losing Ground"
They are working or trying to find work and still getting further behind.
Working poor in Muskegon County comprise 1 in 5 people, with another 20,000 who are one medical emergency or missed mortgage payment away from falling into this group.
The challenges they face can be overwhelming. Starting today, The Chronicle begins an 11-part, monthly series that examines their struggles. We'll tell you where you can find help or offer help.
The first three stories in this series are already online, and worth a read: What if there are no jobs or little pay?; Hard times prevail as manufacturing jobs shrink; Working poor: How to help.
WLNS: Group Rallies for Turning Building into Homeless Shelter
A push to develop a vacant building into a home for the poor takes to the streets. Dozens showed up in downtown Lansing to rally for more affordable housing. Neighbors, churchgoers and the homeless, they may not know each other, but they're fighting for a common cause. They want to turn a vacant apartment building into a home for the homeless.
Resident: "You don't live in a shelter, you stay in a shelter, that's not living."
Braving the cold, they marched three blocks, taking their message to City Hall.
Sandy Allen, Lansing City Council: "We have an opportunity here, and that opportunity is Oliver Towers."
The towers have been vacant for eight years. Now a group of churches wants to buy the building and open its doors to those in need.
It sounds like the City of Lansing may have plans for a new homeless shelter at an alternate site, but community groups are really pushing hard for the Oliver Towers location.
MNA Blog: Habitat for Humanity - The Challenges
During our trip, our group struggled with two unique challenges that are quite common in international volunteering- language barriers and cultural misunderstandings. These barriers made the work at time more difficult but also gave us great insight into ourselves and into American culture.
The language barrier was a significant issue for us though we managed to work our way through it. Our construction manager spoke no English and only three in our group had decent Spanish speaking skills. We would often have to stop what we were doing to get one of three members of our group to help us interpret. The construction manager was new to Habitat and didn’t have a lot of experience in working with volunteers. He communicated through our interpreters and gave many directions using the international language of pointing and making gestures. My years of playing charades came in handy.
Though the barriers were unique to this volunteer experience, they helped us better understand the people we worked with and provided a great learning atmosphere.
Former MNA President Sam Singh shares more thoughts from his trip around the world. You can read more about his trip on www.singharoundtheworld.com.
AP: Detroit to host 'Creative Cities' summit, Granholm says
Gov. Jennifer Granholm says Detroit will host the second International Creative Cities Summit this fall.
The "Creative Cities 2.0" meeting is being held October 13-15. Granholm's office says topics will include creating a sense of place, attracting and retaining skilled people, and effective economic and social development policies.
The Cool Cities Team at the Michigan State Housing Development Authority is helping organize the event.
Peter Kageyama of the sponsoring organization Creative Cities Productions says Detroit is the "epitome of the American industrial city that is creatively remaking itself."
This is big news for Detroit, and the state of Michigan. We'll definitely be keeping an eye on this story as more details about the summit are released over the coming months.
Michigan also lacks viable mass transportation options so attractive to today's young college graduates. What must Michigan do to create cities that are talent magnets?
*Recognize what college graduates want in the city where they choose to live and work. A 2006 study by CEOs for Cities found that two-thirds of young, mobile college graduates today will decide where they want to live first, and then look for a job. They want safe, clean cities with cultural offerings and amenities, including parks and green space. They want to live in downtowns and walkable neighborhoods with public transportation, access to the Internet and other technologies.
*Recognize which industries are growing. While Michigan will continue to be more dependent on manufacturing than other states, most higher-wage jobs in the future will be created in "knowledge-based industries" including health care, education, financial services, marketing, management and other fields.
*Recognize what business owners and entrepreneurs want and need. A December 2007 survey of Michigan small businesses found community infrastructure and recruiting quality employees are top factors. In addition, entrepreneurs seek locations in Michigan cities with good physical and digital infrastructure and safe healthy environments.
If you get a chance, be sure to go read the entire column.
We've written more than once (here and here) about the importance of attracting young, talented workers to Michigan by building vibrant downtowns, so these suggestions seem like no-brainers to us.
If we can manage to get community leaders, elected officials, nonprofits and entrepreneurs on the same page when it comes to the importance of re-building our state's downtowns, we can attract 21st Century jobs and re-energize Michigan's economy.
Just remember: Housing = Jobs
Builders' Abundance is the discount home improvement store it runs for eligible low-income clients.
The store is experiencing adversity of its own as Home Repair Services prepares for its 2008 Resourceful Homeowner Celebration banquet on Thursday. The nonprofit agency and its clients are being pinched by Michigan's drawn-out recession, especially in the housing sector.
"The building business has been our best friends for 17 years, but our best friends are hurting, and the Builders' Abundance store shows it," said Home Repair Services Executive Director Dave Jacobs.
"There's a noticeable reduction of stuff that's available in that store," Jacobs said. "Builders are doing less work, and it results in less surplus. Where we might have gotten a truckload a month from one of these companies, today we are getting half a truckload every three months."
As such, families who rely on Builders' Abundance for low-cost construction materials are making several visits in hopes they find what they need. When they can't, they make due with what's on hand.
The store has been a godsend for the Masons and hundreds of other clients who pass through its doors at 1100 South Division Ave. Sure, it's been harder to find new items given the lull in home construction, but second-hand materials can be just as nice.
Home upkeep is something people take very seriously. For many, it's a source of pride; more practically, it's a great way of maintaining, if not raising, a home's value.
Unfortunately for low-income individuals struggling to make their monthly payments and put food on the table, home improvement may not e a top priority. Thankfully, Grand Rapids homeowners have access to Builders' Abundance as a means of obtaining affordable materials and maintaining their living space.
After all, how can we expect to create vibrant neighborhoods if consumers are unable to take care of their homes?
Here are a few excerpts from the WWJ story:
Glazer said the future belongs to states that value higher education and have strong metro areas anchored by vibrant central cities that attract young, well-educated people. Those are the folks, he said, who can form the backbone of a new, knowledge-based economy and workforce.
“Unless there is a consensus that there needs to be a new Michigan,” Glazer said, “you’re not going to get to the new agenda.”
So what’s on that new agenda? It comes down to education and urban renewal. Among the report’s suggestions, Glazer emphasizes three things:
*Transforming teaching and learning so that it is aligned with the realities of a flattening world.
*Ensuring the long-term success of a vibrant and agile higher education system. This means increasing public investments in higher education and changing the way it is funded.
*Creating places where talent – particularly mobile young talent – wants to live. This means expanded public investments with an emphasis on vibrant central city neighborhoods.
As far as we're concerned, Glazer nails it on all counts. This is essentially the same argument we've been making on this blog for the past two years, so it's nice to have some concrete evidence to support our case.
Everything we do is in one way or another intended to create affordable, vibrant communities where people will want to live an work.
As Lou points out:
“The state does not work if its big metros don’t work,” Glazer said. And, according to the data, the metro areas that work the best are those with strong central cities.
We plan to keep doing what we do, no matter what. Hopefully community leaders and elected officials across the state will take some time to really soak up Michigan Future's progress report (PDF), because it's a great plan for moving Michigan forward.
Michigan Development News is a weekly series that features affordable housing and economic development-related news stories from across the state. Feel free to submit a story suggestion by leaving a note in the comments section.
Battle Creek Enquirer: HARSH LIFE: Annual Homeless Walk affords students a hint of street survival
Friday was the school's fifth annual Homeless Walk with members of The Haven of Rest's Life Recovery Program students and graduates. It was part educational, part confessional.
"This is an opportunity for us to take our life experiences and give back," Jackson said. "For the students, it opens their eyes to things that they probably won't see every day ... so hopefully it will discourage them from taking those paths."
Traipsing the railroad tracks and slush-covered alleys of downtown Battle Creek, the students spent the morning learning how people survive on the streets.
"It definitely makes me feel pretty sad because you can see how people can actually live with all the rags and trash and blankets and stuff," said Joe Riggs, 18. "I drive over the Penetrator (I-194) every single day I go to school. I can't believe I've been driving over this for three years and never knew about it."
It's nice to see students getting involved with their communities and working to end homelessness. Visit mihomeless.org to learn how you can get involved.
LSJ: Lansing can be economic engine, report says
The Lansing area can be one of the economic engines of Michigan if its leaders can figure out how to attract and retain the college graduates driving knowledge industries.
But first, the region will have to overcome a drain of young, educated talent to other areas, according to a new report by Ann Arbor think tank Michigan Future Inc.
"If economic development strategy isn't focused on concentrating talent, you're not going to be successful," Michigan Future President Lou Glazer said Tuesday.
"Smart people are mobile. Where they go, robust economic activity follows."
Between 2000 and 2005, Michigan dropped from the 16th highest per capita income in the nation to No. 26, according to the report, "Michigan's Transition to a Knowledge-Based Economy."
I've seen Lou glazer speak in person, and this guy knows what he's talking about. If you have a chance, be sure to check out Michigan Future's First Annual Progress Report (PDF).
MNA: Habitat for Humanity - The Build Site
Our build site was located in Santa Cruz, which is in the Guanacaste Province of northern Costa Rica. In many Habitat for Humanity builds, you work on a house along side a family. Our project was different. There was a small neighborhood of nine Habitat for Humanity houses that were recently completed and we were going to build a pavilion for a children’s play area and dig drainage ditches around the property lines. The families were excited to have us and supported us through out the week.
My immediate reaction was that we needed to contact the city and cut through the red tape to find out when this was going to be completed. Of course, we were not in East Lansing anymore. I couldn’t get on the phone and try to get this resolved. I was just a cog in the machine. Reality put me back into my place. My role was to be supportive, listen and do the manual labor that was needed. The Habitat Chapter and the families would need to be the advocates. For a person who enjoys being in control, I will admit it was a bitter realization.
Former East Lansing Mayor and MNA Director Sam Singh checks in for an update on his trip around the world. This post reminds me a lot of an article Christine Coady wrote for our newsletter a few years back when she did a Habitat build in Honduras –– you can read it here.
Model D Media: Woodbridge Estates offers new models, home ownership grant
Woodbridge Estates is debuting two new condominium models on Feb. 16 and has announced a new HOPE VI grant program that can contribute up to $75,000 of a home or condo's purchase price.
The Supremes are three-bedroom townhouse units with ground-floor garages below two stories of living space. The 1,276-square-foot units are listed at $187,900 before applying any grant funds.
The HOPE VI program contributes up to $75,000 towards the purchase price for a first-time home buyer; the grant amount is dependent on the applicant's income and the purchase price. Some lenders that Woodbridge Estates is working with are offering other incentives, such as contributions towards closing costs.
Todd Craft, the development's sales manager, says the neighborhood is attracting Wayne State University staff, Detroit Public Schools teachers and medical professionals from the Detroit Medical Center. One of the draws is that the neighborhood is mixed-income. "There are 28 condos, and only 12 of the 28 are in the HOPE VI program," he says. "Someone is getting the grant, and someone who doesn't need it is buying right next door."
Mixed income housing seems to be gaining popularity in cities like Detroit –– hopefully this project will be a success.
Big cities aren't the only ones spearheading major economic development projects anymore. On Monday Redford Township unveiled a $4.6 million spruce-up plan. Here are the details from the Observer & Eccentric newspaper:
A $1 million marquee, or gathering place, is the redevelopment proposal's central feature, and one officials say should be completed by mid-summer. The word "marquee," in a chiefly British usage, is defined as a large tent with open sides, especially one used for entertainment.
The marquee plan calls for the circular portion of the former library to be turned into an open-air building - the floor-to-ceiling window sections will be removed. It could be used for festivals, craft shows, concerts, movie nights, a farmers market and other community events. Part of the old library will be torn down.
A small amphitheater, with lawn seating, is planned for just north of the marquee, and to the east and west will be brick-paver plazas. The entrance will be on the building's east side, adjacent to the parking lot behind township hall.
"We're really creating an exciting venue here," said Ron Cieslak, of the architectural firm Merritt, McPherson Cieslak, which provided a drawing of the proposed marquee.
"I'm very excited about this venue and this project moving forward," Handy said.
The plan also calls for:
• Expanding the existing downtown streetscape, with more landscaping, decorative lighting, pillars, railings and stamped concrete.
• Building a rose garden, with a gazebo at its center, in a vacant lot at Beech Daly and Midland, next to the new Redford Jaycees building.
• Constructing an asphalt trail system for non-motorized traffic - walkers, runners and bicyclists - in a greenbelt surrounding central Redford.
These are the small touches that lay the groundwork for a prosperous community. Ultimately the main goals with projects like these are to spur more private investment and create jobs. Hopefully more towns across the state will take a page out of Redford's book and choose to invest in their own economic rejuvenation.
Capitalized by Comerica Bank and managed by the Michigan Interfaith Trust Fund, the $500,000 revolving loan fund will provide loans through 2010 and target eligible Detroit homeowners living within the City of Detroit’s NEXT Detroit Neighborhood Initiative focus area (East English Village, Osborn, North End, Brightmoor, 7 Mile-Livernois, and Grand River-Greenfield).
“Comerica does not originate, buy or invest in sub-prime lending, but we have a longtime commitment to Detroit and preserving homeownership is critical to our city’s future,” Ogden said. “The NEXT Detroit Neighborhoods Initiative area has been targeted because it is a focal point for neighborhood revitalization within our city and we share that vision.”
Wayne County Treasurer Raymond J. Wojtowicz said: “Wayne County families need help during these tough economic times, and we are committed to helping them and to preserving homeownership in Detroit and Wayne County.
“We welcome and applaud Comerica for partnering with us in our commitment. Comerica has made a strong statement of what can be accomplished by working together to help families survive during these tough times. I sincerely hope other institutions can respond in a similar manner.”
The Trust Fund will be responsible for:
· seeking eligible applicants for the Comerica Tax Assistance Loan Fund;
· receiving applications from homeowners;
· reviewing applications to determine eligibility;
· making funding decisions;
· preparing loan documents;
· closing loans; and,
· servicing loans following closing.
“Our top priority is to assist homeowners within our target area who need help the most,” Ogden said. “That is why we value our partnership with the Michigan Interfaith Trust Fund, which has a proven track record for promoting viable and vibrant neighborhoods.”
Christine Coady, president and CEO of the Michigan Interfaith Trust Fund, said: “[We are] excited to help Comerica preserve homeownership in Detroit and strengthen healthy neighborhoods. We will pair tax relief loans and financial education training from our partners so that homeowners can keep their homes and avoid future problems.”
For additional information on the Comerica Tax Assistance Loan Fund, Detroit residents can contact one of the following counseling agencies partnering in this initiative:
· U-SNAP-BAC Community Development Corporation, 313-640-1100
· Mission of Peace Community Development Corporation, 313-872-2900
· United Community Housing Coalition, 313-963-3310
· Southwest Housing Solutions, 313-841-9641
We have been informed that a reporter with the Detroit Free Press will be covering this story, so we'll keep you posted about the article once it's published.
To advance Michigan as a destination for tourism and business, we must invest in and promote our state's cultural resources.
Those of us who call Michigan home know that it is the combination of cultural resources and our stunning natural resources that make us a unique place to live, work and raise a family.
Our unique attraction for tourists is both those natural and cultural resources. No other state can claim the diverse and authentic array of home-grown/world-class cultural offerings that is Michigan. From the Lumberjack Festival in Newberry to the reinvented DIA in Detroit and everything in between.
We've written numerous times here about the importance of the arts on Michigan's economy, specifically by highlighting our support of the Williamston Theatre:
The Trust Fund also gave a façade grant to the Williamston Theatre in 2006 through the Commercial Economic Development Fund grant program that the Trust Fund administers on behalf of the Capital Region Community Foundation. According to Sutton-Smith, “The building hadn’t been improved in ages. We had inadequate signage, our patrons couldn’t find us, and our lights didn’t always work. This program gave us the ability to make the outside of our building shine the way our work does on stage. The curbside marketing value will be immeasurable.”
Ms. Delaney goes on to make the case for how the arts benefit our state's economy and foster an environment where innovation can thrive:
In addition to abundant natural and cultural resources, we have a multi-cultural, highly educated workforce. Michigan's creatives have shaped the modern world. They include the entrepreneurs of yesterday. They include Henry Ford. Seeking a way to build an automobile faster and less expensively, he innovated the assembly line. Today's entrepreneurs come from campuses, laboratories, farms and small businesses seeking alternative forms of energy to innovate our entire transportation model.
Creativity fuels invention, innovation and entrepreneurship. These will transform our economy. By supporting the arts and artists in our communities, we tell our young people and our visitors that this is what matters here: It is ideas. It is innovation. It is creativity.
We couldn't have said it better ourselves.
So the next time you're looking for something to do on a cold weekend, be sure to check out what's showing at your local theatre, studio or museum. Aside from having a good time and supporting a local business, you'll also be fueling innovation here in Michigan – something that's priceless.
Michigan Development News is a weekly series that features affordable housing and economic development-related news stories from across the state. Feel free to submit a story suggestion by leaving a note in the comments section.
WLNS: Stadium District Development Moving Forward
After almost three years of planning and construction a local multi-use development is almost complete.
It's the Stadium District, right across from oldsmobile park in Downtown Lansing.
Just a few months away from people moving in.
The building might look pretty bare right now, but very soon it will have all the ammentities.
Pat Gillespie, Developer: "The counter tops, the carpet is all going to happen, in the next 30 days majority of the project will be done."
The building is taking shape in the heart of Downtown Lansing.
When it's all finished it will have about 50 condos and apartments and office and retail space.
Pat Gillespie: "This seems to be a unique project that really doesn't seem to be offered anywhere else in the region so if they're looking for a urban flat or condo this is where they're at."
For folks who aren't familiar with downtown Lansing, this particular area was generally considered one of the seediest places in town fifteen years ago. The baseball stadium went up in the mid-90s, and now the "Stadium District" will be one of the hottest spots in Lansing. Downtown re-development doesn't happen overnight, but it's definitely worth the effort.
Lansing-based high tech firm Spartan Internet is putting just under $2 million into the old Holmes Street School on Lansing's Eastside, turning the once shuttered building into a new Information Technology Empowerment Center (ITEC).
Spartan Internet will move from its Downtown Lansing location to the third floor of the building once building updates are complete. ITEC will be on the first floor and the second floor will host other firms.
“This is one people will be talking about,” says Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero about the new development. “This is one people will emulate.”
Empty buildings are sad enough, but few things are more depressing than empty schools. The fact that Spartan is turning this into a center where Lansing children and adults can learn high-tech skills is a big step forward for a city that's worked so hard to diversify its economy in recent years.
Crain's: ‘D’ brand increases tourism for area
The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau’s regional branding campaign, the “D” Brand, is contributing to increased tourism and a better image for the region, according to a new research report.
Chris Baum, senior vice president for sales and marketing for the DMCVB, said a report conducted by Indiana-based Strategic Marketing & Research shows Detroit received 100,000 additional visits worth $68.3 million to the local economy in 2007 as a result of the “D” Brand campaign. Baum presented the report Tuesday at the bureau’s membership meeting at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
These numbers represent trips that would not have occurred without advertising, based on surveys of the campaign’s target markets. Cleveland received the most advertising attention and represented more than half the travel, the bureau said.
This headline from WWJ today caused us to raise an eyebrow: Rust Belt No More? Michigan Is Becoming Increasingly Innovative, Researchers Say. Here are a few excerpts from the story:
Innovative economic activity in Michigan increased 2.8 percent from the middle of 2006 to the middle of 2007, according to a new “innovation index” developed by scholars at the University of Michigan-Dearborn School of Management.
The UM-Dearborn researchers developed the index to track accelerations and decelerations in economic innovation in Michigan. The index is based on calculations of employment of “innovation workers,” trends in venture capital, trademark registrations, incorporation activity, small business loans and job creation.
The “Innovation Index” is a new project of the school’s Center for Innovation Research, or iLabs. The UM-Dearborn researchers are planning to release the index quarterly to make it more useful for economic policy makers.
They released their first report, on data from the second quarter of 2007, on Feb. 4. “While our index fell in the second quarter of 2007 from the beginning of the year, it was 2.8 percent higher than the second quarter of 2006,” according to Lee Redding, associate professor of business economics and director of the Innovation Index.
On the positive side, federal data showed strong growth in the proportion of Michiganders working as scientists or engineers. “This indicator has improved for four consecutive quarters,” Redding said.
Venture capital also increased in the state for the strongest quarter since the end of 2004, according to the UM-Dearborn index. And trademarks registered by Michigan companies in the second quarter of 2007 were the highest since the first quarter of 2006.
We're not exactly equipped to discuss big macroeconomic issues on this blog, but in general this sounds like encouraging news for Michigan. There's no doubt our state has been in something of an economic rut for the past several years, but historically-speaking Michigan has been a central hub for technological innovation for decades.
Those of us who've stuck around have done so for a reason: we know that Michigan is a great place to live and work.
A big part of what we do at the Trust Fund is priming the pump for economic development efforts across the state, so hopefully this research will mark the beginning of a new paradigm for Michigan.
By shedding our image as a "rust belt" state, we can start convincing others to come live here, start a a family here, establish a business and create jobs here, and so on. But there's more work to be done... that rust won't chip off on its own.
Williamston’s unique boutique, Bloom, is outgrowing its 1,400 square foot space prompting owner Aly Wendt to look at options for expansion.
Wendt anticipates that the expansion will include renovating the third floor of the building owned by her and her husband, Jeff. The couple bought the rundown building in downtown Williamston in 2003. They renovated it and opened Bloom on the first floor, and moved into the second floor.
Renovating the remaining third floor would allow Wendt to expand her business upward. Each floor of the building is 1,400 square feet.
“We feel really connected in a way, because we’re business owners but we’re also residents of the downtown,” Wendt says about living and working in downtown Williamston.
Williamston has a relatively small downtown area, but this is another great example of the multiplier effect at work. Investment in the community breeds more investment. This is something we've seen in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Jackson, Muskegon and towns all over the state.
Unfortunately, Michigan's economy as a whole is continuing to struggle, and now it looks like the rest of the country may be headed towards a recession as well. That's bad news for everyone, especially the community development industry.
As economic growth slows we will face new challenges over the coming months, but we must not let that deter us. If anything, our work of making affordable housing and economic development projects a reality in Michigan is more important than ever.
Our state has been through tough times before, but with your help we promise to keep working day-in and day-out to move Michigan forward.
Here's a story we overlooked last Friday for this week's Development News. We spend a lot of time on this blog talking about urban redevelopment, but we are a statewide nonprofit with a history of supporting affordable housing projects in Northern Michigan, so we wanted to point our this article from the Petoskey News-Review:
If there is one thing the homeless in Northern Michigan want others to know, it is that they are everyday people who have had a spot of bad luck. For those living paycheck-to-paycheck, an unexpected illness or job loss may lead to true financial difficulty and eventually homelessness.
Upon becoming homeless, some may go to a homeless shelter. There, they have a safe place to stay while they spend their days searching for work.
In addition to finding employment, people may also receive help from area service agencies involved in financial and food assistance, school systems, counseling, housing, mental health and more. About 30 agencies in Emmet and Charlevoix counties work together in a group called Continuum of Care. The continuum is a nationwide system broken down into regional groups with a goal to prevent homelessness and support those who are already homeless.
By pooling resources together, organizations may direct others to programs which best meet their needs to help every person and family find safe, affordable housing as well as become self-sufficient.
Considering that some area residents are hanging on by a thread, Walker said it takes only one drawback to bring their lives crashing down.
“People who are homeless, most of them are good people who have fallen into hard times,” he said. “Most of them just need a hand up, a break.”
While getting back on their feet, the shelter offers people a safe place to stay while they search for work. During the summer months, guests tend to come and go more often because more seasonal jobs are available. The winter months are much more difficult, though, and guests stay for longer periods of time.
There's no doubt that times are tough in Michigan right now for citizens all over the state. Thankfully, it sounds like there's a strong support network helping our state's homeless population get back on their feet in Northern Michigan.
If you get a chance, go read the whole article. To learn more about what you can do to help, visit the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness for more information.
Michigan Development News is a weekly series that features affordable housing and economic development-related news stories from across the state. Feel free to submit a story suggestion by leaving a note in the comments section.
Jackson Citizen Patriot Column: A difficult dream: Home ownership is getting costlier for many
The urge to have our own bit of land is etched in the American DNA. As settlers pushed west during the mid-1800s, President Lincoln's Homestead Act granted land to anyone willing to farm on it.
After World War II, Americans streamed into new bedroom communities complete with a garage, a front porch and a Labrador retriever that dug holes in the fenced backyard.
But the homes our parents took for granted are slipping out of reach, says Lauren Barack of MSN Money.
I guess so. Two thousand bucks for a refrigerator, a thousand for a washer or a drier. It makes me feel sad for those young married couples just starting out with two new paychecks and a dream.
And forget about owning your own plot of land. It's exponentially priced. Do we have to start adjusting "the American Dream"? Do we have to eliminate the picket fence and the Labrador retriever? Do we have to settle for pre-fab and cut-rate? Sharper minds than mine will have to answer that question.
Jill Cline's column isn't exactly uplifting, but she makes a great point. Homeownership is out of reach for many Americans nowadays. We may not have all the answers, but the need for quality affordable housing is greater than ever –– that's why we do what we do.
Lansing State Journal: Mayor says incentives may encourage city home repairs
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero likely will offer incentives to homeowners contemplating improvements when he presents his third State of the City address this evening.
Tax breaks, similar to those provided to commercial and industrial developments, are a possibility.
"That's what we're looking at," he said earlier this week. "We may need state legislation, ... which I think we could get.
"There's always interest on both sides of the aisle when it comes to tax savings and healthy neighborhoods."
The cost of home repairs and the condition of the city's aging homes is a concern for many.
Some home repair businesses are hoping that property owners take advantage of any incentive discussed during Bernero's "Building Lansing's Future" speech.
We'll defnitely be keeping an eye on this one. Lansing's downtown area has improved by leaps and bounds in recent years, so the next logical step would be to ensure that local neighborhoods experience the same level of redevelopment. You can read more about this initiative over on Michigan Messenger.
Capital Gains: $121,000 in Lansing Façade Improvement Grants Paying Dividends for Growth Corp
The Lansing Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) has earmarked $80,000 for different downtown façade projects and is prepared to give business owners looking to improve their exterior $41,000 more.
Marchelle Smith, economic development marketing director and office manager for LEDC, says when one business improves its façade, it encourages surrounding businesses to do the same.
“It’s had a domino effect,” Smith says. “It’s been very positive.”
Speaking of redevelopment in downtown Lansing, here's another great example.
Capital Gains: Women's Center Completing $22,000 Expansion of Eastside Lansing Location
The Women’s Center of Greater Lansing is in the middle of a $22,000 renovation of a 2,000 square foot building on Michigan Avenue.
The building is next the organization’s current 1710 Michigan Avenue location, and will include a computer lab as well as space for cooking classes and a professional clothing closet.
The Women’s Center of Greater Lansing is a non-profit organization that helps women become economically sufficient and develop emotional and physical well being.
“The completion of this building has been a dream since we purchased the building in 2004,” says Women’s Center Co-Director Manuela Kress. “And with the help of so many individuals, businesses, foundations and organizations, we’ll now be able to offer services that local women in this area are desperately seeking.”
This has turned out to be a very Lansing-centric post, but we wanted to share this update on the new Lansing Women's Center, a project we were proud to support. You can read more here.