The cities of Wayne and Westland were among those awarded Revitalization and Placemaking grants from the State of Michigan last week.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer and representatives from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MDEC) announced the grant awards last week. Grants to 10 state communities totaled $99.2 million.
The City of Wayne was awarded $458,990 and Westland will receive $1 million as part of the program.
“Today's grants underscore our commitment to the people, places, and projects that are integral to the growth of Michigan's economy,” said Whitmer. “These investments will help create vibrant places that attract and retain talent, add new housing options, enable business creation and attraction, and provide resources for Michiganders and our communities. I will work with anyone and do anything to continue getting things done for our state.”
The program is part of $100 million in state funding to address the COVID-19 impacts and community revitalization needs in Michigan. The funding is awarded for investment in projects that enable population and tax revenue growth through rehabilitation of vacant and blighted buildings and historic structures, rehabilitation and development of vacant properties, and development of permanent place-based infrastructure associated with social zones and traditional downtowns, outdoor dining, and place-based public spaces, according to a prepared release from the state offices.
Administered by MEDC, this program provides access to real estate and place-based infrastructure development gap financing in the form of grants of up to $5 million per project for real estate rehabilitation and development, grants of up to $1 million for public space place-based infrastructure per project, and grants of up to $20 million to local or regional partners who develop a subgrant program, the statement continued.
