October 18, 2006

Granholm Cabinet members visit community revitalization projects

LANSING - Members of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm's Cabinet continued their Cities of Promise tour with a series of events and meetings today in Benton Harbor. Cabinet members kicked off the day with several announcements that will benefit Benton Harbor area residents.

"We are providing Benton Harbor with the critical tools they need to bring new jobs to their community and encourage people to live, work and raise their families here," Granholm said. "My comprehensive economic plan to create jobs and transform Michigan's economy includes creating Cities of Promise that are attractive and thriving communities."

Governor Granholm's announcements include the following:

- The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will conduct a $400,000 cleanup action at the truck terminal site located within the Harbor Shores Development project. This action is being taken to make sure that the Paw Paw River is not adversely impacted by the high levels of contaminants currently present on the site. The neighboring community will benefit from a safe, clean site for business and economic development.

"This project is part of the DEQ's long-term commitment to the revitalization of Benton Harbor," DEQ Director Steve E. Chester said. "Accelerating these environmental cleanup projects right now will promote economic growth in the future."

- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced a $3.033 million grant in road improvements in support of Whirlpool Corporation's decision to consolidate its administrative operations in Michigan following its acquisition of Maytag in May 2006. Whirlpool will retain 2,990 Michigan jobs and transfer another 380 jobs to the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph area. The road improvements include reconstructing and widening Klock Road between the bridge over the Paw Paw River and North Shore Drive.

"As part of an overall effort by the state of Michigan to revitalize the economy of Benton Harbor, MDOT is committed to investing in the community in order to retain existing jobs and pave the way for additional investment and area revitalization," MDOT Director Kirk Steudle said. "Transportation investment is a direct improvement in the local and state economy, and we are happy to invest in Benton Harbor."

- Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) has awarded $817,000 to the Berrien-Cass-VanBuren Michigan Works! to implement the Benton Harbor Literacy project, a comprehensive plan for literacy education, GED preparation, career planning, postsecondary education, and employment for adults in Benton Harbor.

"This project is an essential piece of Governor Granholm's Cities of Promise initiative," DLEG Director Robert W. Swanson said. "Literacy is a primary concern in the Benton Harbor area and this funding will enable Michigan Works! to address this need, unlocking the door to opportunity for Benton Harbor residents to reach their full potential."

- The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) presented the Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency with a $347, 610 homeowner rehabilitation award to rehabilitate 15 owner-occupied housing units in the Morton Hill neighborhood. The city of Benton Harbor will match this investment with funding to improve sidewalks, streets, code enforcement, and demolition of blighted structures.

MSHDA is also offering an Urban Pioneer program to encourage recent college graduates to stay in Michigan by helping them purchase homes at lower-interest mortgage rates in eight designated Cities of Promise. The program is being administered by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The lower-interest-rate home mortgages are available to Michigan college graduates holding recent two- or four-year degrees or more advanced degrees for home purchases in one of eight Cities of Promise located throughout the state.

"We are committed to providing financial and technical assistance to create and preserve safe and decent affordable housing for Benton Harbor families," MSHDA Director Michael DeVos said. "Efficient housing is vital in order to attract business and grow jobs in the southwest Michigan region."

Following the announcements, Granholm Cabinet members joined local partners and community leaders for a tour of the different revitalization projects underway in the Benton Harbor community.

The Cities of Promise initiative is Governor Granholm's innovative five-year program that allows state agencies and local officials to collaborate in order to focus resources in eight urban Michigan cities with the highest poverty rates. In addition to Benton Harbor, other Cities of Promise include: Detroit, Highland Park, Hamtramck, Muskegon Heights, Pontiac, Flint, and Saginaw.

# # #