Michigan Rural Network's virtual "scrapbook"
As of now , the Michigan Rural Network is made up of organizations that focus on helping Michigan's communities to be stronger and more vibrant for their residents.
Through the development of:
affordable housing,
(Hesperia, MI and Whitehall, MI - both DwellingPlace CDC of Grand Rapids)
thriving downtowns,
(downtown Adrian, MI)
a strong safety net of social services,
(Intergenerational Building in Caro, MI and an IDA check ceremony in Traverse City)
- Human Development Commission and Northwest Michigan Human Service Agency
and leadership that can help the community set a master plan and push forward,
the network's members are positively impacting rural communities at the grassroots level.
Next step: Grow the network and gain leverage for better legislation and funding allocations!
Some Network Member comments:
Michelle LaJoie: "The Michigan Rural Network is a platform for the rural communities to stand up and be heard as one strong voice on issues such as employment, health care and housing."
Al Hooper: "Despite the challenges we face, small towns and rural areas still have an attraction, and many of these communities are responding with a new approach to economic and community development.
They are focusing on creating businesses and jobs rather than just hoping to attract them, and doing the most with what they have rather than fret about their deficiencies. From these approaches, communities are finding ways to make their towns unique and inviting as places to live and work."
A story about the impact of one network member's project on a Michigan rural community
Network member Tom Edmiston, representing the Great Lakes Capital Fund, wrote an article on housing in rural northern Michigan for the organization's quarterly magazine, Avenues to Affordability.
Village at Rivers Edge – Rural Northern Michigan by Tom Edmiston (full text)
About 25 miles due east of Traverse City in the rolling hills of northern Michigan lies the Village of Kalkaska; and near its southern boundary you'll find a very unique housing community called Village at Rivers Edge. This development which opened in the summer of 2007, was artfully created by Brookstone Capital in collaboration with Hooker DeJong Architects and Rohde Construction.
The site is located near the Boardman River which flows through Traverse City into Grand Traverse Bay. Surrounded by pines and hardwood trees, the property exemplifies the natural beauty of northern Michigan. The development consists of three 2-story apartment buildings which surround a landscaped parking court. All 48 units have views of natural wooded areas. The development, managed by KMG-Keystone Management Group, consists of 32 two-bedroom and 16 three-bedroom apartments.
Great Lakes Capital Fund was able to help Brookstone keep the units affordable by providing $4.4 million in equity (about $92,000 per unit - or about 72% of the total development costs). The permanent loan of $1.6 million (about $33,000 per unit) supports approximately 26% of the development costs through a low, fixed-interest rate mortgage with a 30 year amortization and an 18 year term. Because of having lower taxes through a PILOT ordinance granted by the town of Kalkaska, Brookstone Capital is able to keep the rents affordable for families earning about 55% of area median income.
"We received outstanding support from the Village of Kalkaska for this development. They viewed this not only as an affordable housing development – but as a stimulus for future economic development for the community,” Karl Chew, CEO of Brookstone Capital.
The town's strategy seems to be working. According to Mr. Chew, “We’re actually seeing quite a few people returning to the area from other states such as Florida, Tennessee and Alabama; and we're seeing people coming to Kalkaska from other Michigan communities as well. People are now moving back to Northern Michigan and the Village at Rivers Edge is attracting a lot of interest because of its location, its uniqueness and its great amenities."