MARCH 9, 2006– Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth Acting Director Robert W. Swanson announced today that Detroit will be one of six Michigan communities hosting a Pre-Bid Workshop for the 2006 Cool Cities Grants & Planning Program on Tuesday, March 14. 

Community and non-profit leaders and their business partners are encouraged to attend to learn about each of the Cool Cities programs as well as state resources available through the Resource Toolbox.   The Resource Toolbox combines more than 100 of the state’s community improvement grants, tax credits, loans and assistance programs into a single web-based venue that can be used by cities and communities for revitalization projects.

The 2006 Cool Cities Grants & Planning Program, now in its third year, includes:

·          Cool Cities Neighborhoods in Progress

·         Cool Cities Michigan Main Street

·          Cool Cities Blueprints for Michigan’s Downtowns

·          Cool Cities Blueprints for Michigan’s Neighborhoods

The Pre-Bid Workshop will be held from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. using interactive video conferencing at remote sites in East Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie. No registration is necessary. Food and beverages are not allowed. For more information, visit www.coolcities.com.

Event:                    Cool Cities Pre-Bid Workshop
Date:                     Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Locations:            WayneCountyCommunity College

Western Campus, Room B-215

9555 Haggerty Road

Belleville, Michigan  48111

Map/Directions:   http://www.novoprint.com/belleville2005/wcccd.html

                              MacombUniversityCenter

                               Building UC2, Room 213

                              44575 Garfield Road

                              Clinton Township, Michigan  48038

Map/Directions:   http://www.macomb.edu/Maps/Center.asp

Contact #:             Elizabeth Armstrong, Cool CitiesCollaborative, (517) 373-9097

The notice of intent will be posted on www.coolcities.com the week of March 6, and the deadline for the notice submission is Tuesday, March 21. The state will invite applications for the Cool Cities program, which will be due Friday, May 5. The Cool Cities Neighborhood award designations will be announced in mid-July.

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth news releases.