MSHDA Announces Michigan Main Street Associate Level Communities

LANSING, Mich., Jan. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Scott Woosley, executive director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) today announced eight Michigan communities have been selected to take part in the Michigan Main Street Associate Level program. The communities will receive training over the next year on the basics of the Main Street Four Point Approach®, including organization, promotion, economic restructuring and design. The training will be conducted by staff from the Michigan Main Street Center and Select and Master Level Main Street communities.

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"Michigan's economy cannot thrive without vibrant downtowns." Woosley said. "This program creates opportunities for redevelopment, placemaking and economic growth in downtowns across our state."

The Michigan Main Street program ties in with Governor Snyder's placemaking efforts to help create vibrant communities in Michigan. These efforts are based on numerous studies showing that investing in place creates vibrant centers and downtowns, making the state economically stronger.

The eight communities to receive the Michigan Main Street Associate Level designation are:

• City of Allegan
• Village of Cassopolis
• Village of Central Lake
• City of Charlevoix
• Village of Dundee
• Village of Kalkaska
• City of Lapeer
• City of New Buffalo

Interested in becoming a Michigan Main Street Community or want information regarding the Michigan Main Street Associate Level program? Contact Laura Krizov at (517) 241-4237.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents and to engage in community economic development activities to revitalize urban and rural communities.*

*MSHDA's loans and operating expenses are financed through the sale of tax-exempt and taxable bonds as well as notes to private investors, not from state tax revenues. Proceeds are loaned at below-market interest rates to developers of rental housing, and help fund mortgages and home improvement loans. MSHDA also administers several federal housing programs. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mshda

SOURCE Michigan State Housing Development Authority