Charlevoix and Port Huron Selected as newest Michigan Main Street Communities

LANSING, Mich. – March 20, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Gov. Rick Snyder today announced that Charlevoix and Port Huron have been selected as Michigan Main Street communities by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The Michigan Main Street program is a comprehensive approach encouraging community participation in economic development and historic preservation.

These two communities will receive five years of intensive technical assistance focused on designing revitalization strategies to attract business investment, economic growth and job creation to the central business districts. Charlevoix’s Main Street effort will be led by the city’s Downtown Development Authority. Port Huron has organized a nonprofit organization, Main Street Port Huron, to manage their revitalization effort.

“Vibrant downtowns are critical as we look to attract talent and help local businesses grow as we continue to reinvent Michigan,” Snyder said. “Charlevoix and Port Huron will now have new opportunities for redevelopment, placemaking, and economic growth, as a result of their Michigan Main Street recognition.”

Both Port Huron and Charlevoix were selected through a competitive application process open to all communities that actively participate as an Associate (beginner) level Main Street community. Only Select and Master level communities can use the official Michigan Main Street designation.

“Programs like Michigan Main Street provide downtown communities with the tools needed to develop thriving downtowns,” said MSHDA Acting Executive Director Wayne Workman. “In turn, these tools can be used to create jobs, provide desirable places to live and build a sense of place for Michigan residents.”

MSHDA works diligently to build thriving and vibrant communities in our state. MSHDA’s programs help Michigan residents in four distinct areas: affordable rental housing, supporting homeownership, ending homelessness and creating vibrant cites and neighborhoods.*

For further information on the Michigan Main Street Program, visit www.michiganmainstreetcenter.org or contact Laura Krizov, manager of the Michigan Main Street Center at 517-241-4237 ().

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents and to engage in community economic development activities to revitalize urban and rural communities.*

*MSHDA’s loans 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. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mshda.

Contact:
Misty Elliott
MSHDA Communications

517-373-1858