Granholm Announces Grants to Support Downtown Improvements in Scottville, Fennville, Hart, Mancelona, Plainwell

Total of $2.4 million in grants

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced a total of $2.4 million in grants to Scottville, Fennville, Hart, Mancelona and Plainwell to make downtown infrastructure improvements and façade renovations. The grants are being made available by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) with funds provided by the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

“Improving the downtown areas of our cities will help us build a strong and diversified economy in Michigan,” Granholm said. “These kinds of projects support new business investment and job growth.”

The projects announced today are:

• City of Scottville:A $457,382 CDBG will fund widespread downtown streetscape and parking improvement projects. The corners at the Main Street and U.S. 10 intersection will be repaved and new benches, trash receptacles and bicycle parking will be installed. The city will also demolish a building on Main Street to construct a new parking lot with 80 spaces. The city of Scottville is contributing $50,820 to support the project.
• City of Plainwell: A $1 million CDBG will fund the demolition of the former Plainwell Paper Mill downtown to eliminate blighted and dangerous conditions. The city of Plainwell is contributing $50,000 to support the project. Additional funding will come from a $1 million Michigan Department of Environmental Quality grant.
• Villageof Mancelona: A $43,367 CDBG will fund façade improvements including new windows, doors, awnings, brickwork, painting and signage to downtown buildings located on State Street and Maple Street. The property owner is contributing $63,584 to support the project.
• City of Hart: A $436,090 CDBG will fund a downtown streetscape and improvement project at a vacant site located at the intersection of State and Main streets. The project will include burying overhead lines, walkway construction, seat walls, bike racks, trash receptacles, historic interpretation signage, site lighting, landscaping with native plants and trees, a fountain and built-in chess tables. The city of Hart is contributing $48,455 to support the project.
• City of Fennville:A $500,000 CDBG will fund a downtown streetscape improvement project that will visually enhance the M-89 corridor while improving the walkability of downtown. Proposed improvements include decorative paving, street lighting, trees, benches and curbside planters for perennials. The city of Fennville, through its Downtown Development Authority, is contributing $55,555 to support the project.

“The CDBG program is a vital resource that helps communities promote new business development and job creation,” MEDC President and CEO Greg Main said. “The MEDC is pleased to work with city officials and our local economic development partners to make these projects a reality.”

The MEDC is able to award approximately $40 million in federal CDBG funds each year. There are 1,655 local governments within the state eligible to apply for these funds. Projects are approved contingent upon compliance with state and federal requirements.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.