The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a federal grant program utilizing funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Each year, Michigan receives approximately $30 million in federal CDBG funds, out of which various projects are funded through the state.

Grant funding is designed to assist local units of government that have plans in place to promote and strengthen the infrastructure and environment in their downtowns. These grants are designed to help create vibrant communities and enhance sense of place through blight elimination, job creation and by benefiting areas of low to moderate income individuals.

Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) worked closely with the Village of Elk Rapids on their two year CDBG project. The $426,680 project is a 50/50 grant funds to private investment with four participating buildings. The $213,340 in grant funds is assisting in renovating the historic properties to remove instances of blight, such as repairing brick, replacing siding and installing new exterior doors and windows. These activities are being matched with $213,340 in private funding to complete activities including new awnings, interior renovations and new roofs. Find out if this program is right for projects in your community.

Michigan State University Extension’s partner, NLEA, employs two certified CDBG grant administrators who work closely with communities in Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet counties to implement this program.

Michigan State University Extension has had a unique relationship with the regional economic development organization Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) for more than 20 years. Recognizing the strength of combining resources, this partnership focuses on economic development, entrepreneurship growth and community infrastructure throughout a four-county region in the northwest Lower Peninsula, specifically Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet counties. As a result, the NLEA utilizes resources offered through MSU Extension as it provides leadership to state-wide programs sponsored by MSU Extension.