The Board of Trustees of the Grand Rapids (Michigan) Community Foundation recently approved grants from the Commercial & Economic Development Fund for community development projects in Kent County.
This Fund was established with resources from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) to support neighborhood-based economic development activities in low and moderate-income neighborhoods and improve and beautify neighborhoods by providing residents access to retail, commercial and human services at the neighborhood level.
The grants total an investment of $128,000 and include:
Creston Neighborhood Association is revitalizing the Creston business corridor, primary along Plainfield Avenue, Leonard Street and north to Sweet Street. The grant will be used for façade improvements and for continued support of an LISC Americorps worker. Grant award is $14,500
Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids is currently redeveloping the Kelsey Apartments, located on the corner of Williams and Division, into 12 three-bedroom apartments and two market rate commercial spaces. This grant will be used for awnings and landscaping to support the commercial spaces in the facility. Grant award is $15,000.
Inner City Christian Federation is redeveloping the commercial corridor in the Wealthy and Jefferson area of Grand Rapids. This grant will be used toward the toward the creation of conceptual schematics for the first stage of the redevelopment project. Grant award is $25,000.
Neighborhood Ventures, previously known as Neighborhood Business Specialists Program), are working to implement a Business Improvement District (BID) and/or a Corridor Improvement District (CID) in the group of business districts known as Uptown. A grant was awarded for the planning associated with the implementation of a BID and/or a CCID in this area. Grant award is $15,500.
Neighborhood Ventures, previously known as Neighborhood Business Specialists Program, operates a façade improvement program for commercial corridors in Grand Rapids. This grant will support façade improvements in the Burton Heights, Southtown and Uptown areas. Grant award is $30,000.
Oakdale Neighbors is working to develop the Kalamazoo Café and Book Exchange, a social enterprise business that would serve as a vital commercial venture and sustainable community center in the Oakdale neighborhood. This grant will be used toward the creation of this venture. Grant award is $15,000.
West Grand Neighborhood Organization is working to grow and sustain a Westside Farmer’s Market as a tool for continued economic revitalization of the Stockbridge Business District. This grant will help support the 2007 season of the Farmer’s Market, which will be located in the parking lot behind St. James Catholic Church on Bridge Street. Grant award is $13,000.