The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) announced $64 million in Community Center Grant funds for 100 Michigan municipalities and organizations to expand programming or work on capital projects to serve 1.6 million Michiganders. The grant program builds on Whitmer’s ‘Make it in Michigan’ strategy to win projects, invest in people and revitalize places.

“Community centers anchor thriving communities across Michigan, offering Michiganders places to gather, connect, learn and access resources,” said Whitmer. “This funding for community centers will help us deliver on our ‘Make it in Michigan’ vision to revitalize cities and towns across Michigan by making them more attractive places to live, work, and invest.”

The grantees provide a diverse set of services including after-school programming, workforce development, recreational activities, supporting older adults and more. Grants will be awarded to 69 nonprofit agencies, 22 local government agencies and nine schools/universities all across the state.

In Michigan Works! West Central's six-county region, five projects were approved for funding, including the following:

• West Shore Community College is being awarded $1 million for a project in the city of Hart.
• Osceola County Commission on Aging is being awarded $180,000 for a project in Hersey.
• City of Grant is being awarded $250,000 for renovations at the Grant Community Center.
• Baldwin Community Schools was awarded $150,000.
• Pine River Area Schools is being awarded $191,576.

For a complete listing of the 69 grants awarded, click here.

The grants support the governor’s goal of lifting 100,000 families out of working poverty during the next five years and follows the recommendations of the Michigan Poverty Task Force to address the disparities that affect Michiganders’ abilities to afford necessities such as housing, childcare, food, health care and transportation. 

The American Rescue Plan Act provided $60 million in grant funds which was appropriated by the State Legislature. In response to the resounding interest from applicants, the legislature also added $4 million though the FY24 Supplemental Budget Bill, recognizing the need to provide funding to connect communities and provide resources to serve residents.

“Reinvesting in both rural and urban communities that have been historically underfunded remains a core priority of the House Majority,” said House Appropriations Chair state Rep. Angela Witmer (Delta Township). “This grant program is one of many examples in this year’s budget reflecting that commitment by dedicating much-needed resources for local governments and nonprofits that provide essential services to support healthy communities.”

There were nearly 1,000 applications requesting over $1 billion in funding. Organizations in 43 Michigan counties received funding that will serve a total of 80 counties across the state.

The Michigan Community Service Commission, the state’s lead agency on volunteerism, administered the grant process.

“It was a very competitive process, and we received many great applications that went through a thorough review procedure,” said Michigan Community Service Commission Executive Director Ginna Holmes. “The investment in Michigan neighborhoods will continue to improve the lives of residents across the state, ensuring more Michiganders have an equal opportunity to prosperity.”