March 4, 2008
Investment will help revitalization efforts
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) is awarding a $500,000 grant to Yates Township in Lake County to be used by the Idlewild Partnership Team for demolition activities to assist with blight elimination. The funds, provided through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, will assist in eliminating blight from this historically significant and severely economically challenged community. Additionally, these demolition activities will immediately address the community's concerns about its attractiveness to current and prospective residents.
"The removal of blighted structures in Idlewild will strengthen the redevelopment potential of the entire area," Granholm said. "The revitalization effort being undertaken by Idlewild will not only preserve an important aspect of our state's history, it will help create jobs and build a thriving community."
The Idlewild Partnership Team was created by Governor Granholm and is chaired by Michigan Department of History, Arts, and Libraries (HAL) Director Dr. William Anderson. The partnership team is a collaborative, inter-agency effort to help the Idlewild community retain and attract residents and businesses and restore its great cultural heritage.
Founded in 1912, Idlewild represented freedom for many African Americans, being one of more than 30 resorts in the country where African Americans were permitted to vacation and purchase property before such discrimination became illegal in 1964. Commonly known as "Black Eden," Idlewild was an active, year-round community through the mid-1960s frequented by well-known entertainers and professionals from throughout the country.
"Idlewild is a great example of the work MSHDA and the state is doing to preserve our historic cities and downtowns and create vibrant cities in which our residents can live," Granholm said.
MSHDA administers the state's CDBG housing and downtown development funds that are received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These funds are used to provide grants to eligible counties, cities, villages, and townships - typically those with populations less than 50,000 - for community development and housing projects. Larger communities receive block grant funds directly from the federal government.
MSHDA is a quasi-state agency that provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve safe and decent affordable housing, engage in community economic development activities, and address homeless issues. MSHDA's loans and operating expenses are financed through the sale of tax-exempt and taxable bonds and notes to private investors, not from state tax revenues. For more information on MSHDA programs and initiatives, visit the Web site at www.michigan.gov/mshda.
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