Executive director’s message

They're from the State and they want to help You . . . REALLY!

By Daniel P. Gilmartin

OK, let’s be honest. Sometimes it’s amusing to poke fun at state and federal agencies that promote programs and policies that completely miss their intended targets. Everyone involved in local government for any length of time has seen their fair share of projects that were rolled out with a bang only to drift silently into obscurity a few years later. But this article isn’t about one of THOSE programs. It’s about a very real commitment from one state agency to promote an agenda to revitalize the economic prospects of communities in our state.
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) is embarking on a number of key policy initiatives aimed at stimulating communities in Michigan. While many plans and programs are still in the conceptual phases and are yet to be finalized, it is clear that MSHDA is approaching the challenge with much more focus and resolve than we have previously seen.

For some community leaders, MSHDA’s taking the lead in investment programs for Michigan’s communities might seem a bit out of character. After all, aren’t they the low income housing people? But if you have been reading the tea leaves within state government over the past year or so you might not be that surprised by their emergence.

MSHDA’s new leadership
Many of you know that the Community Assistance Team that was previously housed within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) came to MSHDA last year as part of an internal shake up, bringing with them a number of important programs aimed at community investment like Downtown Blueprints, Michigan Main Street and the Cool Cities Initiative. These programs have assisted dozens of communities throughout Michigan with grants and technical assistance.

While building on the CAT Team transition, MSHDA’s new leadership has recognized and, perhaps more importantly, embraced its unique position within state government to promote a comprehensive strategy for improving communities through increased development opportunities and improved quality of life. The authority has been redirecting much of its own traditional programming to reflect the need to build capacity in communities and provide new economic opportunity in the state. That’s why you see MSHDA staff heavily involved in programs like the Cities of Promise Initiative. That’s why you hear that MSHDA is playing a lead role in the development of land banks and in the continued evolution of smart zones and neighborhood enterprise zones (NEZ). And that’s why MSHDA is pushing important new initiatives aimed at supporting the so-called Urban Pioneers that are beginning to repopulate our core cities, helping community leaders from all over Michigan tackle the important “sense of place” objectives in their own hometowns, and spearheading renewed efforts to address many of the issues that the Michigan Land Use Leadership Council first wrestled with back in 2003.

Partnerships
Perhaps the most promising thing that I can point to is that MSHDA is partnering with a number of key groups before the programs are rolled out. The authority and the League have been co-chairing a work group that is meeting with key leaders representing universities, small business, communications, urban planners, non-profits and others in an effort to refine the vision and foster a set of programs that meet the challenge. While this doesn’t guarantee ultimate success, it is a very promising change of pace.

Other state departments like MEDC and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) must also play key roles in program development and implementation.

Looking forward
As we enter a new state legislative session there is talk that the Legislature might finally heed the calls of local government leaders, think tanks, and business leaders that the state’s future economic prospects are closely tied to the quality of life that is provided in its communities. While we wait not-so-patiently for signals from the floors of the House and Senate that this is the case, we can take some comfort in the progressive actions of at least one state agency.

Daniel P. Gilmartin, executive director, Michigan Municipal League, 734-699-6302, 800-653-2483 or dpg@mml.org.