Marquette County Land Bank Authority and the City of Nagaunee were wonderful hosts showcasing recent uses of blight elimination funding and how land banks continue to expand and fill roles in communities to achieve great things. #20YearsOfMichiganLandBanking
We celebrated 20 Years of Land Banking in Michigan today! Big thanks to the nearly 40 participants who joined and walked three sites in Negaunee. Special thanks to Linda Horak and Adam Robach at the State Land Bank Authority for making the trip. All three sites received funding from the State Land Bank’s Blight elimination program and we’re excited to show those dollars at work in Marquette County. Stops on the walking tour included: 208 Silver - Demolition and abatement funds of $61,385. Vista Theater - Stabilization funds of $435,424 (City of Negaunee contribution of $134,895) to install new roof and clean up the interior to make it safe for rehabilitation. 108/110 Main St - Stabilization funds of $120,000 to replace roof and siding making rehabilitation possible. The Land Bank also plays a role in housing development in our community and we’re a resource for all local units of government. Through grant programs we have built 5 homes with another 4 on the way. We facilitate the development of housing with developers that want to build homes within 80-120% of the area median income. Land Banks can provide technical assistance, have inventory of land, and access to funding. Here in Marquette County, we have a Housing Specialist that is a great asset to our team! Thank you to all the partners that have made housing a priority. Kudos to the Lake Superior Community Partnership for helping organize this wonderful event. State Land Bank Authority Michigan Association of Land Banks City of Negaunee #20yearsoflandbankinginmichigan