While many Michigan’s urban cities’ economic recovery programs have gained momentum, there is concern those efforts may not be moving fast enough or are far enough along. Visibility is often a problem. Investors, entrepreneurs, community leaders, developers, builders and other critical stakeholders need to “see” incentives, in order to “seize” them, according to development experts […]
Almost a decade ago Flint’s Coolidge Elementary School closed its door forever, a move that showed the changing reality of the neighborhood. Dropping attendance coupled with high cost closed that chapter in the neighborhood in 2011, but a new one was written by the non-profit Communities First Inc., which bought the property from the Flint School […]
It is an age-old question. How do you get people with money to invest in places where it is most needed? One answer is Opportunity Zones (OZs). They can help communities in Flint and Detroit grow and prosper. Part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts, the new economic development tool is designed to incentivize […]
There will be more than a half million Professional Trade career openings in Michigan between now and 2026. That’s a lot of jobs, and the catch is letting students and job seekers in Flint and elsewhere in the state easily find out about them. With that in mind the Talent and Economic Development Department of […]
The old Calvin Coolidge Elementary School will be soon be renovated into Coolidge Park Apartments and a new four-story building. The existing building, originally constructed in 1928, has been closed since 2011 due to high costs and low attendance. The renovation is set to cost $16.5 million and will include 54 apartments in total with […]
Flint and Genesee County are among areas in 18 states approved for federal support that could help boost job creation and economic improvement. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service approved Michigan’s application for Opportunity Zones, communities eligible for tax benefits designed to improve the quality of life for their residents by […]
It seemed a peculiar setting for a discussion about affordable housing. Traverse City is better known as a community that boosts Michigan’s tourism than one that attracts low- and moderate-income residents. But some took notice when a young man attending a public meeting spoke up about his daily, 45-minute trip from work into town, saying […]
Applauding advocates of affordable housing Champions are more than competitors we celebrate after sports victories. They are everyday people, our friends and neighbors, who devote themselves to causes that benefit us all. One of those champions in the realm of affordable housing and community development is James L. Logue III, CEO of Develop Michigan and […]
When Gary Heidel visits his hometown lately, he is buoyed by the improvements he sees. An executive with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) for the past 30 years, the Flint native has held a special interest in his hometown’s resurgence. While population loss and vacant housing have hit the city’s economy in ways […]
Three years ago, Kinyemi Sims found some free money to help her catch up on her property taxes. She was nearly $12,000 behind and was afraid she wouldn’t be able to prevent a foreclosure on her property. She found the help she needed through Step Forward Michigan, a federally-funded interest and payment-free, forgivable loan program […]