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Midland, Michigan – After passing in the U.S. House and Senate, several funding bills for fiscal year 2024 were signed by President Joe Biden on March 9. Locally requested items considered important to flood reduction in mid-Michigan were included in these bills.
In the pursuit of economic growth and development, one crucial aspect often overlooked is the availability of attainable housing. Housing is a fundamental component that contributes to the overall well-being of a city – it’s the glue that makes Midland a thriving community versus just a pin on a map. Thus, there is an important correlation between job creation and housing development. Yet with rental rates for the City of Midland and Midland County both effectively doubling since 2018, it’s apparent that we are facing a significant challenge in Midland and the broader Great Lakes Bay Region.
In the face of rising housing costs and attainability as a hindrance to economic growth, the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance and several local partners, including Housing Forward, recently came together to address this critical issue at the Great Lakes Bay Region Housing Summit on January 26 at Saginaw Valley State University. Approximately 250 stakeholders from various sectors gathered to discuss and share innovative solutions around why workforce housing is one of the top factors in regional growth and why it should be a priority for everyone.
The MBA Advisory Committee on Infrastructure has been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the County of Midland on a large hydraulic/hydrologic study of the Tittabawassee River Watershed since 2021. This first study is coming to a close soon. Using new river surveying and GIS data, the study will result in a powerful computer model of the watershed.
The Midland Business Alliance (MBA) Advisory Committee on Infrastructure will be providing a progress report to the Midland County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, December 5.
What does attainable housing mean for the fabric of a community?
To evaluate the current accumulation of debris and erosion in and around the Midland area waterways, a project will begin on Monday, October 30, to identify and document potential problem areas.
There were two earmarks for the City of Midland in the final budget that Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed on July 31. The first is $25 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).
Midland, Michigan – The Midland Business Alliance (MBA) Advisory Committee on Infrastructure held its “High Water Mark” community event on May 22. For those who could not attend, the event was recorded and is available for viewing on the MBA Website or on Midland Community Television (MCTV).
We informed you in April that the Midland Business Alliance (MBA) Advisory Committee on Infrastructure is holding a community event on Monday, May 22, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Dow Diamond’s third-floor TriStar Club.