February 2010

Michigan governor's State of State will be 'all about jobs'

The Detroit News - Lansing, mi
Lansing -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm delivers her eighth and final State of the State address tonight with a heavy focus on the two issues she sees as most important to propping up the foundering state in her last 10 months in office: jobs and education.


January 2010

The Neighborhood Stabilization Program

City of Dearborn Heights Truth Page - Dearborn Heights, MI
As previously reported, Section 2301 of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA), enacted on July 30, 2008, appropriated nearly $4 billion to state and local governments for the purchase and redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed upon residential properties (covered properties), creating the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).

Michigan Communities Achieve National Main Street Accreditation

Triangle Business Journal - Lansing, mi
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Keith Molin, executive director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) today announced that four Michigan Main Street communities have been awarded National Accreditation through the Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA.

DONT LOSE YOUR HOME TO FORECLOSURE THERE IS HELP AVAILABLE

City of Gilbraltar - Gilbraltar, mi
It is no secret that a number of our residents and fellow Michigander's are facing some economic challenges that are affecting their ability to maintain their quality of life. More and more individuals and families are finding it increasingly difficult to make their mortgage payments resulting in possible foreclosure. The most unfortunate thing is that many do not realize that they dont have to lose their homes. In many cases, there are programs available designed to assist homeowners in getting back on track. If you are facing foreclosure, there is help available

MSHDA CDBG DOWNTOWN RENTAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM

City of Hillsdale - Hillsdale, mi
Through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds are being made available for the purpose of creating and/or rehabilitating rental housing units within the Downtown area. Funds of up to $35,000 per unit are available. A minimum of twenty five percent (25%) of the total project cost is required to be paid by the Property Owner.

2010 Resolutions

Michigan Main Street - Lansing, MI
So, the New Year is upon us. Gone are the restful and luxurious days off of the holiday break, sleeping in, eating cookies for breakfast, playing with friends and relaxing on the couch. Its time to get back to business. So, in addition to my personal list of resolutions, which could be another complete blog, in honor of making this year better than the last, I give you my list of Main Street resolutions:

Sturgis faces budget woes in 2010

Sturgis Journal - Sturgis, MI
There are other good things happening in the city this year. Demolition of the Arkwrights property across from the Sturgis Post Office happened a year ago, with the help of a MSHDA grant totaling $178,092. Now the city is exploring ways to promote development on the vacant land.

Idlewild, black resort from segregation era, seeks comeback

Mlive - Idlewild, mi
Tiny Idlewild wants to be Michigan's comeback story. And state and federal governments seem intent on making that happen in the historic community tucked away in the Manistee Forest.

Saginaw knocked down record homes in '09

Mlive - Saginaw, Mi
City Development Director Odail Thorns said crews knocked down 265 blighted homes last year.

Mich. gets $223.9M for neighborhood revitalization

Kcoy - DETROIT, mi
DETROIT (AP) - The federal government awarded Michigan $223.9 million on Thursday to help tear down blighted buildings and revitalize neighborhoods in a dozen cities including Detroit, Grand Rapids and Flint.

Residents are ready to see millions in federal funds put to use in Flint ne

Mlive - Flint, mi
FLINT — A federal grant is about to give the Flint area more money than it has ever had to demolish and rehabilitate run-down homes, and Sharon Burnett has a message now that the check is in the mail:

Holland housing partnerships align to fix abandoned homes

The Grand Rapids Press - HOLLAND, mi
HOLLAND — Three nonprofit organizations are partnering with the city to buy and fix up abandoned or foreclosed homes in the Midtown neighborhood.

Black resort from segregation era seeks comeback

Associated Press - IDLEWILD, mi
Tiny Idlewild wants to be Michigan’s comeback story. And state and federal governments seem intent on making that happen in the historic community tucked away in the Manistee Forest.

Marches, Speeches Mark MLK Day In Detroit

WWJ - Detroit, mi
There were marches, speeches and volunteerism throughout Detroit and southeast Michigan Monday as thousands paid tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.

Pure Michigan Living' Web Site Launches

Chanel 7 ABC News - LANSING, mi
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announce the official launch Tuesday of a new web site featuring the people, places and things that make Michigan a great place to live, work and play.

Michigan boasts gems of modern architecture by Yamasaki, Saarinen and other

The Canadian Press - DETROIT, mi
Stop by the Minoru Yamasaki-designed McGregor Memorial Conference Center at Wayne State University in Detroit and its halls are open for a stroll through what's considered a masterpiece from the World Trade Center architect.

Project Homeless Connect today

Lapeer Area View - LAPEER, mi
The second annual Project Homeless Connect event takes place today, Thursday, Jan. 28, at the Lapeer Center Building, 425 County Center St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Council OKs move to help development group get tax-exempt status

Heritage Newspapers - Milan City, mi
Milan City officials approved a modification in the way that tax revenue is estimated and collected for a rental housing complex for low- to moderate-income tenants.

State building Pure Michigan Living effort

The Alpena News - LANSING, mi
LANSING (AP) — A new ‘‘Pure Michigan Living’’ campaign is being rolled out to promote the state as a place to call home.

Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA to Host Informational Webinars on the A

Ajax World Magizine - Lansing, mi
LANSING Mich., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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.

MSHDA's Michigan Main Street Center and State Historic Preservation Of

Ajax World Magizine - Lansing, mi
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Keith Molin, executive director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) today announced that the Michigan Main Street Center in partnership with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), recently unveiled renderings for proposed facade improvements for a building in downtown Scottville. Locals consider the currently vacant building at 130 S. Main Street as key to Scottville's efforts toward revitalizing its downtown.

Pure Michigan Living Campaign

Associated Content - Lansing, mi
Pure Michigan Living is the new campaign launched on January 26, 2010 by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, MSHDA, and Michigan Economic Development Corporation, MEDC. The Pure Michigan Living campaign will try to share stories of the quality of life in Michigan. This is a nationwide campaign, so many of you will be seeing Pure Michigan Living ads!

Bids for Lebowsky Center roof, walls sought

Argus-Press - OWOSSO, mi
OWOSSO - Construction of a new roof at the Lebowsky Center could start soon.

Countdown to 2010 Paczki Day Festivities in Hamtramck, MI

PR Web - Hamtramck, mi
Autmobile industry town near Detroit, MI finds reason to celebrate. Thousands to converge on culturally diverse Hamtramck, MI for Paczki Day, a celebration of baked goods, Polish food and polka music, bar crawls, also known as the 'Polish Mardi Gras' and the 'Polish St. Patrick's Day.'

State unveils 'Pure Michigan Living' campaign

Crain's Detroit Business - Lansing, mi
The "Pure Michigan Living" campaign was launched this week to collect and publish stories on why people are choosing Michigan. MSHDA and Pure Michigan, as well as Metromode's parent company Issue Media Group, have teamed up to roll out the new web site.

DDA to seek bids to remove canopy over Elixer

The Davison Index - DAVISON, mi
DAVISON -- Slowly but surely, more of the canopy will be removed along the southwest block in downtown. The Davison Downtown Development Authority gave approval for city staff to go out for bids to remove the portion of the canopy above Elixer, 211 N. Main Street, with a 6-1 vote. Mayor Fred “Mac” Fortner cast the dissenting vote.

Grants to aid Lapeer home renovation projects

Lapeer Area View - LAPEER, mi
LAPEER — Single-family homeowners living on Lapeer’s north end are eligible to apply for grant funding to renovate their homes to make them more energy efficient and enhance and stabilize their neighborhoods at the same time.

Building's history may not be enough to still the wrecking ball

Charleviox Curier - Charlevoix , mi
A preliminary determination of the 1870s house at 108 Park Ave. by the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office is not enough to save it. The Charlevoix Downtown Development Authority (DDA), acting on a recommendation from DDA executive director Keith Carey, voted to unanimously to go forward with the parking project.

$47,000 state grant to pay for weatherizing historic buildings

Kalamazoo Gazette - Kalamazoo, MI
KALAMAZOO — The city of Kalamazoo will get a $47,000 state historic preservation grant that could lead to employment opportunities for small contractors and energy savings for some homeowners.

State OKs historic nomination for Rosedale Gardens

Observer and Eccentric - Rosedale Gardens, MI
After eight years of gathering historical information and pushing for an historical designation for a Livonia neighborhood, John Stimac has received good news. The Michigan Historic Preservation Review Board nominated the Rosedale Gardens Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places.


December 2009

Mshda Lowers Interest Rate For First-time Homebuyers

MortgageMag News - Lansing, Mi
Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) mortgage interest rates are dropping nearly a full point in an effort to stimulate the housing market for low and moderate income homebuyers, MSHDA Executive Director Keith Molin announced today. The significant drop to 5.375 percent for a 30-year fixed rate MSHDA mortgage and the extension of the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit to April 30, 2010 makes owning a home an achievable reality for many more people throughout the state.

Grand Rapids seeks $20.1 million grant to renovate vacant properties

Mlive - Grand Rapids, MI
GRAND RAPIDS -- The city could soon get $20.1 million to buy and rehabilitate foreclosed, vacant and abandoned properties.

Tax credit could help boost area home sales

Business Lansing - Lansing, mi
For those in the market for a home, the world is their oyster. Interest rates are at record lows. Housing prices in many parts of the country still are depressed. And buyers may be eligible for a generous tax break, even if the home they buy isn't their first.

First-timers cram homeless shelters

Free Press - Metro Detroit, Mi
The number of people who say they are homeless for the first time is increasing in metro Detroit, spurred by unemployment and foreclosures, experts say.

Mortgage market weakness continues, but states take steps to help homeowner

News Blarg - Lansing, MI
According to a new study, loan delinquency rates have increased again in the third quarter of 2009 and are on course to hit record highs this year. In the meantime, several states have taken measures to help struggling families stay in their homes.

Economic Activity Picks Up in Eighteen States in October

Reed Contruction Data - Lansing, Mi
While only five states have an expanding economy over the last three months, eighteen states recorded an increase in their economic activity index. Except for Oregon and Montana, all of the states with economic pickups in October were in New England, the Midwest and mid-South regions. This includes Michigan, Ohio and Indiana in the Midwest motor vehicle region and four of the six New England states. Montana had the largest month to month gain at 1.7% followed by Massachusetts at 1.5%.

Unlike rest of Michigan, survey shows more Grand Rapids-area companies plan

Mlive - Grand Rapids, Mi
GRAND RAPIDS -- Businesses in the area planning to hire in the first quarter outnumber those cutting jobs during the first quarter, according to the quarterly Manpower Employment Outlook Survey released this morning.