How CDFIs are helping Michigan’s small towns bring buildings and businesses back to life
Projects in Cadillac and Onaway show how community lenders and local partners can help finance housing, business expansion and jobs
Sarah Spohn's Latest Articles
CDFIs help rural Michigan communities fund affordable housing, education, and support small business growth
Rural communities often experience a lack of capital access due to bank mergers, or community banks leaving their areas. CDFIs step in to bridge the gap by providing crucial capital, workshops, and referrals to rural communities — funding affordable housing, high-quality education, and community development with small business growth.
CEDAM’s new guide helps communities use tax incentives for housing
CEDAM has released a new housing TIF guide to help Michigan communities understand and apply tax increment financing as a tool to support local housing development and affordability goals.
Volunteers of America Michigan’s mission made possible by social enterprise thrift stores; support from IFF
Sometimes nonprofits need help to fulfill their mission of helping others within their communities. For Volunteers of America Michigan, when costly necessary roof repairs and upgraded lighting arose, they found a supportive partner in IFF. The community development financial institution that has provided millions of dollars of loans to five of the VOA Michigan thrift stores.
Community celebrates 100th anniversary of historic Midland County Courthouse
As the Midland County Courthouse is nearing its 100th anniversary, a new issue of The Midland Log revisits the historical building.
Regional Housing Partnerships do the critical work locally to move needle on Statewide Housing Plan
Michigan’s first-ever Statewide Housing Plan was released in June 2022, almost three years ago. A little over the halfway point of the comprehensive five-year plan, stakeholders and collaborative partners look at just how critical regional housing partnerships are in their own communities — moving the needle forward across the entire state.
Brewing community: Eaton Rapids coffee shop changes hands but mission remains the same
Coffee shops serve an important role in rural communities. They're gathering places for friends, neighbors and community groups. It's a role BlackDog Coffee in Eaton Rapids has provided the past few years. That role will continue as the coffee shop transitions to another Michigan-made business, Foster Coffee Co.
Springfield Twp. Parks and Recreation collaborates with Oakland County to preserve natural assets
“Once those ecosystems are lost, they can’t be recreated,” says Sarah Richmond of Springfield Township Parks and Recreation. The township collaborates with Oakland County Parks on projects to steward land in northern Oakland County.
New app helps make recycling easier for Isabella County residents
Most of us mean well when we try to recycle, but sometimes it’s hard to do correctly. It can be overwhelming to understand what materials we should recycle, trash, or donate, but a new app is making it that much easier for Isabella County residents. The Isabella County Material Recovery Facility in Mt. Pleasant has launched the Recycle Coach app to help educate residents how to correctly dispose of their waste.
Kimball Township works with Community Foundation to purchase land for canoe and kayak launch park
One of Kimball Township’s unique parks and recreation assets is about to become more accessible for residents and visitors alike. The Community Foundation of St. Clair County has purchased privately owned land on both sides of the Black River to develop a park featuring a canoe and kayak launch.
