GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES $30,000 GRANT FROM MICHIGAN STATE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO REDEVELOP MICHIGAN’S OLDEST SUBURBS

Lansing—Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has granted $30,000 to the Michigan Suburbs Alliance (MSA) to assist in the advancement of a community redevelopment project. The project, Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC), aims to increase the competitive advantage of Michigan’s oldest suburbs by making their redevelopment process less complicated.

“The state is committed to being a partner in the local effort to improve Michigan’s most historic neighborhoods,” Gov. Granholm said. “The MSA’s efforts are an important catalyst in restoring Michigan’s landmark communities to their original glory, and will well serve the citizens of Michigan for years to come.”

The MSA was formed in 2002 in response to increasing adversity faced by southeast Michigan’s oldest communities. Their goal is to bring investments and opportunities back into older suburbs through redevelopment, reformed public policy and regional cooperation, thereby sharing in the social and economic success of the rest of the state.

The MSA formed RRC in 2003. Local residents specializing in the areas of architecture, certified planning, development, law and economics, form the project committee. These volunteers develop standards and timelines for cities to become better prepared for redevelopment. Completion of this “certification,” which involves input from business owners and residents alike, makes the prospect of redevelopment much more likely for these areas, but more importantly, it creates a community-centered vision for the future.

In February of 2005, six cities were chosen to test the program: Eastpointe, Hazel Park, River Rouge, Southfield, Taylor and Ypsilanti. All six properly completed the certification process and have been deemed Redevelopment Ready. The $30,000 put forward by MSHDA is set to develop the RRC into a self-supporting, nonprofit business entity, which in turn will help communities all over the state.

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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