September 7, 2005

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today joined Howell Mayor Geraldine K. Moen and local economic development leaders on a tour of the community, which recently received a 2005 Cool Cities “Michigan Main Street” designation.  Granholm toured the Opera House and downtown neighborhood where local leaders shared their vision for Howell's future. 
 
“The Cool Cities Initiative is helping create vibrant neighborhoods in communities across Michigan,” Granholm said.  “Howell leaders are clearly enthusiastic about being a part of this effort.  The city is experiencing tremendous growth and development, and this Cool Cities designation will help city leaders plan wisely to bring jobs, investment, and greater diversity to this community.”
 
As a Michigan Main Street, Howell will receive more than $200,000 in technical assistance and training as part of a long-term management approach to revitalizing and maintaining a successful downtown through organization, promotion, design, and economic restructuring.  This four-step training approach was developed by the Main Street National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington D.C.  A requirement of the program is a local commitment of staff, organization, and financial support.
 
Howell, which is one of only four Michigan communities to receive the 2005 Cool Cities Main Street designation, also receives the “Cool Cities Neighborhood” designation, special consideration for some Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and/or Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) programs and participation in a state resource fair.  Other cities receiving the 2005 designation are Ishpeming, Grand Haven, and Midland.
 
“Building vibrant, energetic cities that attract jobs, people, and opportunity to our state is a key component of our economic vision for Michigan,” Granholm added.

The Michigan Cool Cities Initiative began as a competitive pilot program in 2004, awarding $100,000 catalyst grants to communities for 19 different downtown development projects.  Due to the success of the pilot program, the Governor expanded it in 2005 to include three programs:  “Cool Cities Main Street,” “Cool Cities Blueprints for Michigan’s Downtowns,” and
“Cool Cities Blueprints for Michigan’s Neighborhoods.”   The catalyst grant pilot program became the “Cool Cities Neighborhoods in Progress” program. 
 
The Department of Labor & Economic Growth, which oversees the Cool Cities programs, reports that first year participants in the Cool Cities Neighborhood award program say the designation helped create 400 new jobs and retain 500 existing jobs. The year-old program enabled 19 projects to have priority access to more than $100 million in existing grants, loans, and other resources, and more than $350 million was contributed by local, state, and private organizations.
 
The MEDC administers the Michigan Main Street program.  MEDC, a partnership between the state and local communities, promotes smart economic growth by developing strategies and providing services to create and retain good jobs and a high quality of life.  For more information on MEDC initiatives and programs, visit the Website at www.michigan.org. For more information about the Michigan Cool Cities Initiative, visit www.coolcities.com.

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