Now this might come under the heading of "Ripley's Believe it Or Not", but over the course of time, I've come to learn that there are indeed a number of programs that do work in tandem with local, state and federal officials as well as the private sector to create jobs and economic development opportunities.  One of these is the Community Development Block Grant program.  The CDBG program provides funds to local communities, many of them under 50,000 in population, for economic development, community development, and housing projects.  There are examples all over our state of where this kind of "seed" money has led to economic success stories.  And just recently, funding was awarded to Brighton, Fennville, Fremont, Gaylord, Grand Haven, Hart, Holland, Lincoln, Mancelona, Plainwell, Scottville, and St. Ignace to assist with a number of "infrastructure" efforts including everything from facade improvements, streetscape, parking, and blight elimination.  As the governor noted, "Improving the downtown areas of our cities will help us build a strong and diversified economy in Michigan....These kinds of projects support new business investment and job growth."  Once again proving the League's brand of "Better Communities, Better Michigan."
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