But there's one problem: no one seems to be interested in utilizing the funds
ISHPEMING -- Eligible homeowners and property owners have been notified: grant funds from the Michigan State Housing and Development Authority can be used to make improvements to their buildings.
But almost no one in the city of Ishpeming seems interested.
"Nobody has been applying for these funds,” said Community Development Coordinator for Marquette County, Dotty Lewis. “And now I'm afraid MSHDA is going to recapture these funds and invest them in another community."
It's already been six to eight months, and Lewis has only had a handful of calls and only a few property owners interested. If the disinterest continues, the funds could go away as early as September.
Certain areas of the city of Ishpeming can receive up to $350,000 for improvements to houses and rental units. This includes improvements to roofs, siding, windows, doors, plumbing, electric and even some landscaping.
Close to 140 people are eligible to receive funding, but the county only needs 35 percent of those people to apply for the funding in order to keep the grant money.
"The benefits to the city are to see owner-occupied housing units, rental units, in the downtown area improve,” said Ishpeming City Manager Jered Ottenwess. “And hopefully improve their property value and the condition of the neighborhood."
To find out if your home or rental property is eligible to receive funding, click here or contact Community Development Coordinator for Marquette County, Dotty Lewis, at (906) 315-2672 with your questions or for a grant application.
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