The City of Romulus has been awarded a $1 million federal grant for assistance to small business and workforce development in the city.
The Development Initiative/Community Project Funding (EDI/CPF) Grant was awarded to the city for the proposed Romulus Small Business Assistance and Workforce Development Project. The announcement follows the recent designation of Romulus as a Certified Redevelopment Ready Community by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
Mayor Robert McCraight has been heavily focused on building an integrated Community and Economic Development Cohort.
“The goal is for this group to have the capacity and resources to address all aspects of the community's development needs while leveraging the cooperation of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) to allow Romulus to recognize its full potential,” said McCraight.
The estimated $1 million award will be administered by the Congressional Grants Division of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This award is the result of congressionally directed spending and the support and commitment to Romulus demonstrated by Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, McCraight said. The appropriations process provides investment in a wide variety of projects such as housing, homelessness prevention, workforce training, public facilities, parks, resilience planning and other critical infrastructure and services.
The Romulus project has three main components; retention of existing businesses, development of the city New Entrepreneur Success Training (NEST) business incubator, and a workforce development program, that together represent a “One Romulus” success strategy for the city and the Detroit Aerotropolis Region.
Director of Community Safety and Development Kevin Krause stated, “When I accepted this position, the mayor tasked my team with not only finding innovative solutions, but to do it in a way that addresses the economic disparity and income inequality that has been highlighted amongst minorities, disconnected youth, individuals with disabilities and the unemployed within the community.
“I'm proud to say that this project will accomplish that. I am excited for what this opportunity will bring to the city as we bring the community's identified vision for its future to fruition.”
Specifics of the grant are expected in early spring as agreements are finalized.
