Yearly Archives: 2009

WASHINGTON, - July 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- the U.S. House of Representatives approved $150,000 in federal funding for the environmental restoration and protection of Homer Lake. The funding was requested by Congressman Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek) as part of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (HR 3183), which the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve today. The Schauer language allows the Corps of Engineers to Select the project for completion

CDBG Grants Will Help Revitalize Neighborhoods and Create Jobs. WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) and U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced $1,647,759 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for Flint and Genesee County. These grants are available through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, which enable state and local governments to undertake a wide range of activities intended to create suitable living environments, provide affordable housing and create economic opportunities. The City of Flint will receive $1,153,340 and Genesee County will receive $494,419

WASHINGTON, DC - July 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nineteen Michigan communities will receive a total of $7,296,509 in community development grants for projects designed to benefit low- and middle-income families, Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin, both D-Mich., announced today. The funds, made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will be disbursed by the local governments of Battle Creek, Bay City, Clinton Township, Flint, Genesee County, Holland, Kalamazoo, Kent County, Lincoln Park, Midland, Pontiac, Port Huron, Royal Oak, Sterling Heights, Taylor, Warren, Wayne County, Westland and Wyoming

WASHINGTON, DC - July 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- More than $1.9 million will be granted to three Michigan wind energy projects, U.S. Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, both D-Mich., announced today. The funds, disbursed by the Department of Energy and allocated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed in February, will help Dow Corning, Michigan Aerospace Corporation, and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor develop wind power, which is fast growing as a source of clean electricity across the nation.

Funds made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. WASHINGTON, DC - July 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) announced today that Michigan has received $42,136,000 to support six different water infrastructure projects—$9,064,000 in grant funding and $33,072,000 in loan funding—through the USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Program. Funds are made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

LANSING, MI - July 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Mike Cox today announced that his office has filed 18 charges against four companies and one individual for committing foreclosure rescue fraud. Cox also issued warnings to 17 companies regarding complaints from residents about their practices. Michigan law prohibits "foreclosure rescue" companies, which provide foreclosure advice, from making misleading or false statements, or charging service fees before any service is completed.

WASHINGTON, DC - July 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — More than $1.9 million will be granted to three Michigan wind energy projects, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin, both D-Mich., announced today. The funds, disbursed by the Department of Energy and allocated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed in February, will help Dow Corning, Michigan Aerospace Corporation, and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor develop wind power, which is fast growing as a source of clean electricity across the nation.“A wind turbine has over 8,000 individual parts and they all can be made right here in Michigan,” said Stabenow. “I am pleased these grants will support the important research efforts happening across our state as we continue to lead the way in developing clean energy technologies in the 21st century economy.”

LANSING, MI - July 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Senate Democratic Leader Mike Prusi (D-Ishpeming) today announced that Governor Jennifer Granholm has signed Senate Bill 596 into law as Public Act 72 of 2009. Prusi's legislation will authorize the State Administrative Board to convey the U.P. State Fairgrounds property to Delta County for $1 provided the property is utilized for public use, allowing the U.P. State Fair to continue with local management. State funding for both the U.P. State Fair and the Michigan State Fair will not continue beyond the current state Fiscal Year ending September 30th.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that Bishop International Airport will receive a $3,505,537 Federal Aviation Administration grant to rehabilitate pavements and aprons, used for parking aircraft while they are loaded and unloaded, and help improve deicing for commercial airlines

July 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The Sunburst Inn, located in Ludington, has earned Green Lodging Michigan (GLM) Partner certification from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG). Green Lodging Michigan (GLM) encourages hotels, resorts, motels, and bed & breakfast facilities to implement environmental initiatives and cost-saving "green" practices to conserve energy, reduce water consumption, protect air quality, reduce waste, and participate in environmentally preferred purchasing.

Recovery Act Funds Will Provide Weatherization Assistance for Homeowners. Washington D.C. - July 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The US Department of Energy released $288 million in weatherization assistance funds today, including $97.3 million for Michigan. Macomb County received $3.2 million and Oakland County received $4.4 million. The counties previously received funds for training and ramp-up activities, and will be eligible for additional funds ($4 million for Macomb and $5.5 million for Oakland) after the state meets reporting guidelines. The funding, to be administered by Macomb County Community Services Agency and Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency respectively, will provide home energy audits and weatherization improvements to local eligible homeowners.

Families Considering Buying Their First House Have Limited Time to Save Thousands of Dollars on New Home Purchase This Year. Washington, D.C. - July 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Gary Peters, the Michigan Association of Realtors and a local family who recently closed on their first home today gathered at the family’s new house to discuss the tax credit available—for a few more months—that can save first time homebuyers thousands of dollars on the purchase of a new home. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the economic recovery plan Congress enacted in February, created a temporary tax credit worth up to $8,000 for first-time homebuyers to help families become homeowners in tough economic times and to spur home sales in a sluggish housing market. Southeast Michigan foreclosure rates are among the highest in the nation (according to RealtyTrac, Oakland County’s foreclosure rate is in the top 5 percent among all counties nationwide), so encouraging the purchase of empty homes is extremely important for the region.

WASHINGTON, DC - June 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today hailed news that the U.S. Department of the Treasury has awarded $2 million to Communicating Arts Credit Union in Detroit through the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. The funding will be used to expand lending and services in the Highland Park community.

June 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The Michigan Department of Human Services, Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing, Friday issued an order of summary suspension and notice of intent to revoke the certificate of registration of a Wayne County family child care home provider, Shantequia Shreve, #DF820292729, 44104 Harsdale, Canton. This action resulted from a recent investigation of a complaint of the family child care home.

LANSING, MI - June 26, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The Senate today unanimously approved bipartisan legislation that would strengthen existing requirements for loan officers in Michigan, said Sen. Randy Richardville, chair of the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee.