Community Development

Community Development reporting is made possible through underwriting support from Enbridge.

The calendar has reminded residents of how large the art community is and events like the Range Art Tour.

Free online calendar brings together rural Michigan and Wisconsin towns

A free online event calendar draws people together in the rural communities along a river dividing the western Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin.   

Latest in Community Development
The second floor of the former bank in Manistique is being turned into apartments.
A small but important step in housing

The former Manistique Bank is being transformed into commercial and residential space. A recent Build MI Community Grant Initiative will help fund renovation of the second floor into residential apartments. 

Another Childcare SPARK graduate opens a daycare

An innovative program to create more childcare facilities in Marquette County has helped open yet another in-home operation. 

AAoM's Navigating Autism Today Conference takes place November 15, 2024, in Grand Rapids at the Grand Valley State University Pew Campus L.V. Eberhard Center.
Navigating Autism Today Conference in Grand Rapids focuses on navigating autism for a lifetime

The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) is preparing for its upcoming Nov. 15 Navigating Autism Today Conference in Grand Rapids. The event connects families and autistic individuals with resources and support networks on critical topics: financial planning, health care advocacy, employment, and independent living solutions for adults on the spectrum.

Houghton's waterfront before the improvements were made.
Houghton’s waterfront ‘vision’ earns honors from Michigan Municipal League

Houghton is the second U.P. community to earn the Community Excellence Award from the Michigan Municipal League. The Keweenaw Peninsula city was honored for the transformation of its waterfront and improved connections to the downtown and the community.

Nicole Milton
FHLBank Indianapolis first-time home ownership program making Michiganders’ dreams a reality

FHLBank Indianapolis HomeBoost program offered up to $15,000 in down payment and closing and counseling costs assistance in its pilot year. For the program's return, those who qualify can receive up to $25,000.  

Hero Walk family team
Autism Hero Walk raises funds while raising awareness

Promoted as "Michigan's largest gathering of the autistic community — 6,000+ families and autistic persons coming together to celebrate everyday superheroes,” The Autism Hero Walk takes place from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak.

The comfortable meeting room at 1Q1.
Co-working spaces support remote work — and quieter lifestyle — in U.P. and beyond

Looking for a remote place to work? Considers one of these co-working spaces in the U.P. and beyond. These spaces are ideal for solo work and also to collaborate with others. The amenities include more than an endless supply of coffee.

The new Commongrounds building on Eighth Street in Traverse City.
Commongrounds uses co-op model to serve missing needs of the community

Traverse City's Commongrounds is a mixed-use building, offering affordable housing, co-working space, a coffee shop, child education center, and performance venue. It's the first real estate cooperative in northern Michigan.

Mark Witte
CCBHCs extend mental health care to more Michiganders despite challenges

Michigan was added to the country's list of certified community behavioral health clinic (CCBHC) demonstration states back in the summer of 2020, with 29 counties throughout the lower peninsula operating CCBHCs through their community mental health agencies.

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