This quarterly update from Community Progress’ Michigan Initiatives team highlights important revitalization news and resources from across the state. For specific inquiries or to share how your community is addressing vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties, email Payton Heins, Director of Michigan Initiatives at pheins@communityprogress.net
Almost exactly one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, a massive relief plan has passed both chambers of Congress and been signed into law by President Biden. The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is an historic achievement that will provide unprecedented resources to combat the health, economic, and racial equity challenges that have been…
Center for Community Progress and the National League of Cities accepting Letters of Interest for Free Educational Programming and Customized Technical Assistance WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 27, 2021 – Today, the Center for Community Progress (Community Progress) and the National League of Cities (NLC) announced that a new Vacant Property Leadership Institute (Leadership Institute), is…
The combination of a new year, new leaders, and new challenges mean residents and local governments are positioned for rapid change in 2021. Register for this Spring’s Cornerstone Webinars to ensure you’re up to date on the latest trends and answers to this year’s historic challenges and opportunities. February 2021 External Partner Webinars Pivots…
For years, nonprofit CEOs and thought leaders have been calling for a new investment strategy to help create sustainable change in communities. While the call has been clear, the question remains: What do these strategies look like in practice? What would happen if partners, funders, and local leaders committed for the long haul?
COVID-19 is proving to be more than a crisis for America’s cities, towns, and counties. The unexpected synergy of a pandemic, elections, climate change and social unrest is causing many municipalities to reimagine the future. As long-established systems, practices, and populations change, every neighborhood must answer the big question: “What does the future look like…
We know this fall is won’t be “normal.” What we do know is that from back-to-school planning to preparing 2021 budgets, we’ll need real-time data and updates to help communities, residents, and municipalities navigate. To help local and resident leaders, Community Progress will offer a series professional development webinars and resources to help face both…
“We don’t know what will happen – there are far too many unknowns at this point – but we can already anticipate many of the risks, and what to expect after the pandemic is behind us.“ – Alan Mallach As the United States is gripped by the most severe pandemic in over 100 years, much…
There is no question. Michigan communities are encountering and will continue to feel the impacts of the COVID-19 public health and economic crisis. As unemployment skyrockets, state and local revenue sources diminish, and public health costs soar, immediate action must be taken to preserve homes and businesses now and into the future. To help, the…
In the sea of COVID-19 uncertainty, there are a few neighborhood-level realities we know for sure. Our neighbor’s financial constraints may postpone planned repairs – like fixing that damaged roof that’s in danger of collapsing; the tenants in the 3-flat at the corner of the block could face eviction, due to job loss and inability…
