July 14, 2004 –  Local Cool City Pilot Program grant recipients recently met with Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and state officials at a day-long conference held at Michigan State University in East Lansing. It was the first meeting for the grant recipients since they were announced last month. 

The conference outlined the process for grant recipients, including their roles and responsibilities associated with their projects. Twenty Cool Cities pilot projects are receiving catalyst grants of up to $100,000 and will have access to more than $100 million in state grants, loans and other resources.  The initiative, designed to help foster the development of vibrant, attractive cities and urban centers, is part of Governor Granholm’s economic development plan for Michigan.

Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth Director David C. Hollister told the Cool City Pilot Program grant recipients that they are the “urban pioneers” who are going to help us reshape Michigan’s neighborhoods and cities.

“Together we are embarking on an important venture to Grow Michigan’s economy,” he said. “Economic development, to be truly lasting and sustainable, must also be people-focused.  We must keep and attract the best and brightest in order to compete in the global economy.”

The projects receiving grants are located in Alpena, Bay City, Detroit, Ferndale, Flint, Grand Rapids, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Marquette, Port Huron, Portland, Saginaw, Saugatuck, Sault Ste. Marie, Traverse City, Warren, and Ypsilanti.

Each grant recipient will receive a catalyst grant of up to $100,000, as well as access to a “resource toolbox” that includes information on more than 75 of the state’s community improvement grants, loan programs, and assistance programs.  Together, this “resource toolbox” and the catalyst grants leverage millions of existing dollars that are now being strategically directed to revitalization projects that present the best opportunity for success.

One hundred and fifty-one project applications from 112 Michigan cities were submitted for the Cool Cities pilot program.  A multi-agency team reviewed each project, looking for those that demonstrated close partnerships with existing community organizations and the private sector and offered plans for creating large-scale neighborhood or community improvement.
            The projects not designated as part of this pilot program have been invited to attend an education and training session in Lansing on Monday, August 9th.  They will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from DLEG, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and the 14 other participating state departments to discuss how they can improve their applications for the next round of grants and determine what other resources might be available to them from the state’s resource toolbox.
            More detailed information about each project is available at www.coolcities.com. 

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