The State Land Bank Authority announced on Tuesday that it will be opening a second round of applications for the Michigan Rural Community Demolition Grants. The $50,000 grants allow smaller communities in Michigan to eliminate blight to help improve their area.
The grants are available to Michigan county land banks and local governments in areas with populations less than 50,000. They are designed to be put toward removal of vacant and abandoned structures.
“We’ve seen great success within this past year and are very excited to be rolling out a second wave of grants,” State Land Bank Interim Director Jeff Huntington said in a statement on Tuesday. “We look forward to working with our upcoming group of grant recipients to help continue the development of vibrant communities as well as usher in new economic opportunities.”
Grant proposals will be evaluated based on promotion of public safety and economic development, public and private investment into the program, and “alignment with the community vision,” according to a statement from the State Land Bank Authority. The maximum amount awarded for a grant is $50,000.
Nine communities received grants last year and completed their projects throughout the fall. The State Land Bank Authority said that the removal “paved the way for new community gathering places, commercial units and residential housing.”
The one-time fund appropriation was headed up by state Sen. Jim Stamas (R-Midland).
“Our rural communities and small towns are home to nearly two-thirds of Michigan families and represent the foundation of our economy and way of life,” Stamas said in a statement. “I look forward to seeing this effective program continue to help our smaller communities remove blighted structures, return the land back to productive use and attract new development and opportunities.”
Applications can be found at Michigan.gov/LandBank and are due by Friday, March 13 at 5 p.m.
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with Battleground State News and The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected].
