MSHDA Announces Michigan Main Street Associate Level Communities

LANSING, Mich., Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) announced today that six Michigan communities have been selected to take part in the Michigan Main Street Associate Level program. These six communities will receive training over the next year on the basics of the Main Street four point approach®, including organization, promotion, economic restructuring and design. This training will be provided by staff from the Michigan Main Street Center and members of the Selected and Master Level Main Street communities.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110419/MM85741LOGO)

"Michigan's economy cannot thrive without vibrant downtowns," said Scott Woosley, executive director of MSHDA. "The Michigan Main Street program creates opportunities for new development and economic growth in downtowns across our state."

The Michigan Main Street Associate program is part of Governor Snyder's Placemaking initiative and downtown development efforts in Michigan. These efforts are based on numerous recent studies showing that investment in downtowns creates vibrant and healthy communities, making our state economically stronger. The communities to receive the Michigan Main Street Associate Level designation are:

• City of Alpena
• City of Flat Rock
• City of Grayling
• City of Lincoln Park
• Village of Middleville
• City of Port Huron

Communities wishing to become a Michigan Main Street Community or communities who would like more information regarding the Michigan Main Street program are asked to contact Laura Krizov at (517) 241-4237.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents and to engage in community economic development activities to revitalize urban and rural communities.*

*MSHDA's loans and operating expenses are financed through the sale of tax-exempt and taxable bonds as well as notes to private investors, not from state tax revenues. Proceeds are loaned at below-market interest rates to developers of rental housing, and help fund mortgages and home improvement loans. MSHDA also administers several federal housing programs. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mshda

SOURCE Michigan State Housing Development Authority