Contact: Mary Lou Keenon
Communications
Telephone: 517/373-0011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2010

Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA to host Informational Webinars
on the Associate Level Michigan Main Street Program

Lansing – Keith Molin, executive director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) announced today that the Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA (MMSC) will be holding informational webinars for communities interested in learning about the Associate Level Michigan Main Street program for downtown and traditional neighborhood commercial district revitalization. The webinars are free, open to the public, and will take place February 10 at 9:30am and February 16 at 2pm.

The intent of the Associate Level Michigan Main Street program is to provide communities with a basic understanding and knowledge of the Main Street 4-Point Approach, along with the benefits and requirements of the Michigan Main Street program, in order to prepare the community for the Selected Level. Communities will learn more details on the program, including requirements and eligibility.

To take part in the webinar, please send an email indicating your interest to info@michiganmainstreetcenter.org. MMSC will respond with the log-in instructions.

The Associate Level Michigan Main Street program trainings take place in Selected/Master Level Michigan Main Street communities across the state. Communities interested in applying to become a member of the Associate Level program must submit a letter of interest to MMSC by March 5, 2010.  These trainings are provided at no cost to the community, with the exception of food and travel.

For additional information on programs administered by MMSC, as well as more information on Selected/Master Level Michigan Main Street communities, please visit: www.michiganmainstreetcenter.org.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority is dedicated to building a thriving and vibrant future for Michigan. MSHDA provides tools and resources to improve people's lives through programs across the state. These programs assist with housing, build strong neighborhoods, and help create places where people want to live and work. MSHDA's programs work in four areas: affordable rental housing; supporting homeownership; ending homelessness; and creating vibrant cites and neighborhoods.* For information on this and other MSHDA programs, visit the Web site at www.michigan.gov/mshda.

*MSHDA's loan and operating expenses are financed through the sale of tax-exempt and taxable bonds as well as notes to private investors, not from state tax revenues. Proceeds are loaned at below-market interest rates to developers of rental housing, and help fund mortgages and home improvement loans. MSHDA also administers several federal housing programs.

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