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Sawmill Lofts to Celebrate Groundbreaking Downtown Grayling

New development brings mixed-use building with housing to support area growth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 13, 2021

LANSING, Mich. – After years of working behind the scenes, Michigan Community Capital will celebrate the start of a new vibrant mixed-use project in downtown Grayling next week. Located at 100 Michigan Avenue, the Sawmill Lofts project will develop a vacant and underutilized site into a nearly 40,000-square-foot, five-story building with over 3,000 square feet of commercial space and 42 new apartments. Total project costs are projected to be approximately $12 million with support provided by Michigan Community Capital (MCC); Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC); Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE); IFF; the City of Grayling and Crawford County.

“It has taken over two years working with strong local and state partners to bring this project to life,” says Marilyn Crowley, Vice President of Investments for MCC. “This will mark the first multi-family building permit pulled in the city of Grayling in many years. It is crucial to bring housing for workers in growing industries to attract and retain talent in the region.”

Once complete, the newly constructed building will offer large storefronts, and a residential lobby and lounge on the first floor. The upper four floors will be a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floorplans with some apartments overlooking the Au Sable River. Resident amenities will include onsite parking, electronic key access, an elevator, onsite staff and leasing office, and the resident lounge. Tenants will also enjoy walking distance access to downtown conveniences and local trails.

“The reactivation of this long-underutilized space will bring energy and activity to the middle of our downtown,” says Rae Gosling, Director of Grayling Main Street/Downtown Development Authority. “We are looking forward to having a better-connected district that encourages residents and visitors to experience all that our downtown offers.”

Identified as a priority site for redevelopment by the city, the new housing is expected to support a variety of residents including employees hired by surrounding growing businesses. 

“Grayling and our surrounding communities have been in great need of housing, including rental housing, for many years. As Grayling continues to grow and bring in new businesses and job opportunities, the need for housing continues to increase. Sawmill Lofts will help provide much needed rental housing in our area, and one of the biggest benefits is that it will be right in our quaint little downtown,” said Traci Cook, Executive Director of the Grayling Regional Chamber of Commerce.

MEDC provided an investment of $4.4 million in equity for the project under the Community Revitalization Program. The project meets the priorities of this program because it will increase the amount of residents living downtown, improve the vitality of downtown through increased investment and activity, and redevelop a vacant and contaminated site into a mixed-use building. In addition, the project will help provide a market comparable to encourage other investments in this region.

“The Sawmill Lofts project will supply downtown Grayling with much-needed affordable housing for the area workforce while also bringing attractive commercial space,” MEDC Sr. Vice President of Community Development, Michele Wildman. “As a certified Redevelopment Ready Community and participant in the Michigan Main Street program, the city of Grayling is proactively positioning itself for new private investment and continued growth. We are pleased to collaborate with Michigan Community Capital and our local partners in supporting transformative projects like Sawmill Lofts that help create vibrant, resilient communities where people want to live, work, visit and play.”

The project will utilize a $1 million grant from EGLE for environmental remediation on the site. This work is further supported by an approved $1.4-million brownfield tax increment financing plan through the City of Grayling and Crawford County.

“EGLE is excited to be part of this fantastic downtown revitalization project,” said Julie Lowe, Brownfield Coordinator at EGLE. “This project is a great example of how EGLE’s Brownfield Program helps to create jobs and investment and increases property values and tax revenues. Brownfield redevelopment projects like the Sawmill Lofts help to improve communities, the environment, the economy, and public health and safety,” she continued. “EGLE’s brownfield incentive programs assist with environmental remediation and redevelopment of brownfield sites to promote economic development in both rural and urban communities across Michigan.”

IFF, a Community Development Finance Institution, has approved a $3.7 million loan for the project. 

“IFF, a mission-driven nonprofit lender that helps communities thrive, is proud to support the hard work of Michigan Community Capital to bring Sawmill Lots to Grayling. In our work with Michigan Community Capital, we’ve witnessed the team’s skill at pulling together the public and private resources required to construct new, high-quality housing. We look forward to construction completion and move-in for dozens of new residents who will call Sawmill Lofts home,” said Stephanie Socall, Managing Director of Lending, Affordable Housing at IFF.

Integrated Architecture has been selected as the architect, with Midwest Construction Group serving as general contractor. Site preparation is underway with remediation taking place under the supervision of Triterra Environmental.

The anticipated opening of Sawmill Lofts is set for the beginning of 2023.

Community members are encouraged to attend the groundbreaking event planned for Wednesday, September 22, 2021. Event details can be found online at michigancommunitycapital.org.

About Michigan Community Capital

Michigan Community Capital (MCC) is a non-profit diversified public-private partnership that supports the missions of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) by aggregating capital and facilitating the financing and development of low-income and attainable housing, and the redevelopment of complex brownfield sites within the State of Michigan. MCC is a U.S. Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a certified Community Development Entity (CDE). Over its 16-year history, MCC has supported over $1 billion in project financing, successfully attracted $320 million in federal New Markets Tax Credits, and helped to create over 750 housing units and 1.3 million square feet of commercial, retail and industrial space to facilitate job creation and expansion. MCC provides products in four key pillars: housing equity, bridge and gap lending, New Markets Tax Credits, and property insurance for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit projects. For more information on MCC visit michigancommunitycapital.org.

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Michigan Community Capital Receives $65 Million in New Markets Tax Credit Award

Allocation will support projects in low-income census tracts in the State of Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LANSING, Mich. – On September 1st, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) announced an award of $65 million in New Markets Tax Credits to Michigan Community Capital (MCC) that will spur investment and economic growth in low-income urban and rural communities state-wide. Michigan Community Capital is one of 100 Community Development Entities (CDEs) that were awarded tax credit allocations, made through the calendar year (CY) 2020 round of the New Markets Tax Credit Program (NMTC Program).

Since 2005, Michigan Community Capital has received $320 million in New Markets Tax Credit allocations and has remained the only CDE deploying efforts entirely in Michigan at a state-wide level. These awards were invested in projects such as the Allen Neighborhood Center in Lansing, Sugar Hill in Detroit, Hudsonville Creamery expansion in Holland, Peterson Farms in Hart, and UP Paper in Manistique. To date, MCC has invested NMTC allocations into 28 projects across the state resulting in over 6,500 full-time jobs created or retained, more than 450 housing units established, and the development of 1.3 million square feet of commercial, retail and industrial space.

“We are proud to continue to partner with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and SB Friedman Development Advisors to attract valuable federal resources to support Michigan priority projects,” said Eric Hanna, President and CEO of Michigan Community Capital. “We will prioritize using these funds to increase healthy food access in food deserts, promote mixed-income housing, support skilled training programs, expand services for low-income families, and to create living-wage jobs for Michiganders.”

The 100 CDEs receiving awards this week were selected from a pool of 208 applicants that requested an aggregate total of $15.1 billion in tax credit allocation authority. The award recipients are headquartered in 34 different states and the District of Columbia.

Historically, NMTC Program awards have generated $8 of private investment for every $1 invested by the federal government. Through the end of fiscal year 2020, NMTC Program award recipients deployed almost $56 billion in investments in low-income communities and businesses; with impacts such as the creation or retention of nearly 871,000 jobs, and the construction or rehabilitation of nearly 231.5 million square feet of commercial real estate across the US.

To learn more about the New Markets Tax Credit Program visit www.cdfifund.gov/nmtc.

About Michigan Community Capital

Michigan Community Capital (MCC) is a non-profit diversified public-private partnership that supports the missions of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) by aggregating capital and facilitating the financing and development of low-income and attainable housing, and the redevelopment of complex brownfield sites within the State of Michigan. MCC is a U.S. Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a certified Community Development Entity (CDE). Over its 16-year history, MCC has supported over $1billion in project financing, successfully attracted $320 million in federal New Markets Tax Credits, and helped to create over 750 housing units and 1.3 million square feet of commercial, retail and industrial space to facilitate job creation and expansion. MCC provides products in four key pillars: housing equity, bridge and gap lending, New Markets Tax Credits, and property insurance for Low Income Housing Tax Credit projects. For more information on MCC visit michigancommunitycapital.org.

Learn more about other New Markets Tax Credit projects MCC have invested in here.

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Cadillac Lofts Opening

Dakkota Integrated Systems Expand with New Markets Tax Credits

Michigan Community Capital supports Dakkota Integrated Systems’ $45-million manufacturing expansion with $8.3 million in New Market Tax Credits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JULY 22, 2021

LANSING, Mich. – Dakkota Integrated Systems will continue facility expansions with assistance from a New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation from Michigan Community Capital (MCC). The project supports the complex assembly of the Instrument Panels for Stellantis Jeep Grand Cherokee at both the Detroit Assembly Complex Mack and Jefferson North Assembly, which are both locally built. The expansion, which started in 2020, will create 300,000 square feet of manufacturing space at the former site of Kettering High School.

The project will create 473 new full-time equivalent jobs in a census tract where 55.7% of the population falls below the poverty line. 446 of these jobs are accessible to people with less than a four-year degree. Benefits for these positions include health insurance, 401K contribution, paid vacation time, short- and long-term disability, job training tuition reimbursement, and education for personal finances, all of which will greatly benefit the families of these new workers.

“We are appreciative to Michigan Community Capital, the local community, Chase Bank and our other financial partners for supporting Dakkota’s expansion in Detroit,” said Gary Caldwell, Chief Financial Officer at Dakkota Integrated Systems. “The New Markets Tax Credit enhances our mission to create sustainable job opportunities in underrepresented communities for many years to come. It will allow us to achieve our goal of creating high-quality products for our customers at competitive pricing and profitability, which is critical to our success and allows us to achieve a winning environment for all.”

New Markets Tax Credits are a federal subsidy tool administered by the U.S Department of Treasury designed to attract capital to projects that support low- and moderate-income households and communities. MCC is the only Community Development Entity (CDE) that deploys this resource solely throughout the entire State of Michigan. Since the organization’s formation in 2004, MCC has secured a total of $255 million in tax credit allocation through competitive rounds to support Michigan businesses and communities. MCC uses NMTC’s to support job creation, access to healthy food, and mixed-use projects including mixed-income housing and commercial businesses that benefit low-income households.

“Dakkota Integrated Systems has continued to take its role as a corporate citizen very seriously, has been thoughtful about its compensation and hiring practices, and is truly demonstrating a commitment to ‘walking the walk’ by focusing on hiring Detroiters,” said Eric Hanna, President and CEO of Michigan Community Capital. “Those practices, which allow Detroiters to invest in themselves, are ultimately the key to giving the people of Detroit agency over their future. We could not be prouder of Dakkota, and we look forward to working with them and with companies like them in the future.”

Chase is investing $2,743,650 in New Markets Tax Credits into the project.

“We’re thrilled to work with Michigan Community Capital, Invest Detroit, and Dakkota Integrated Systems on their facility expansion, which will bring jobs to the Detroit community,” said James Simmons, Executive Director, Community Development Banking, Chase. “Through New Markets Tax Credit investments, we continue to support the building and revitalization of communities where we live and work.”

Invest Detroit is serving as a separate Community Development Entity in the project allocating $1,750,000 in New Markets Tax Credits.

“Invest Detroit’s mission is to support projects that create jobs and build a better future for all Detroiters,” said Senior Vice President of Lending, Marcia Ventura. “That’s why we are thrilled to partner with Michigan Community Capital, Chase Community Banking, the City of Detroit, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and Hunting Bank in a collaborative effort to bring this important project to Detroit. The Dakkota manufacturing facility is a job-creator for Detroiters. Partnering with Detroit at Work, they have already placed 109 city residents in full-time, high-quality positions. Collaboration makes these projects happen and is the key to a bright economic future for Detroit and our residents.”

About Dakkota Integrated Systems, LLC

Dakkota Integrated Systems was founded in 2001 to supply assembly and sequencing services for the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) automotive market. Specific products include suspensions, instrument panels, overhead systems, center consoles, cooling modules, bumper & grills, and general sequencing. The Company is headquartered in Michigan and has 14 operational locations, including out-of-state facilities in Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, and Windsor, ON. The Company excels at providing “just-in-time” products to support auto manufacturing. Various levels of technology are employed including automation, robotics, scanning and sophisticated data collection with analysis in order to provide a high level of repetitive quality and integrity of the Company’s products/services. This has allowed the Company to continue to grow and support the livelihood of its more than 1,000 Michigan employees and more than 2,350 team members worldwide

About Michigan Community Capital

Michigan Community Capital (MCC) is a non-profit diversified Public Private Partnership that supports the mission of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) by aggregating capital and facilitating the financing and development of low-income and attainable housing and the redevelopment of complex brownfield sites within the State of Michigan. MCC is a US Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a certified Community Development Entity (CDE). MCC has successfully attracted federal New Markets Tax Credits, supported over $900 million in project financing and helped to create over 750 housing units and over 950,000-square-feet of commercial, retail and industrial space to facilitate job creation and expansion. MCC provides products in four key pillars: housing equity, bridge and gap lending, New Markets Tax Credits and property insurance for Low Income Housing Tax Credit projects. For more information on MCC visit michigancommunitycapital.org.

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Construction underway on Grand Haven’s newest neighborhood

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAY 17, 2021

LANSING , Mich. – Grand Haven’s newest neighborhood in the city limits broke ground earlier this month. The 30 single-family home development named Robinson Landing, will address an identified housing need by offering new construction homes priced from $139,900 to $279,900.

“This project is responding to a housing crisis we are seeing across the state,” said Marilyn Crowley, Vice President of Investment for Michigan Community Capital. “With construction prices skyrocketing and a large number of buyers, we are seeing a shortage of housing that is priced affordably for the majority of Michigan’s workforce. It took many partners to bring this project together, and we’re excited to see the result come to life.”

Housing Next, an Ottawa County based non-profit and housing advocate, commissioned a housing study in December of 2018 that identified moderately priced housing as a high-level need in Ottawa County. The report outlines significant growth in households earning an annual income between $40,000 and $74,000 that outpaces the housing supply.

“We are pleased to provide support for a project that is breaking down barriers to housing affordability and availability,” Housing Next Executive Director Ryan Kilpatrick said. “This innovative and transformative project – with owner-occupied units priced below $180,000 – is exactly what we need right now to help solve our region’s workforce housing crunch. Our communities have greater economic prosperity and job growth when families can find affordable housing.”

Formerly owned by the City of Grand Haven, the 7.5-acre parcel on Comstock Street will allow residents easy access to downtown. The project site was transferred from the City to the Ottawa County Land Bank in November 2020. Michigan Community Capital purchased the land at a reduced price of $32,000 earlier this year to encourage affordability of the neighborhood development. 

“This project is a model for non-profit/governmental cooperation,” said Pat McGinnis, City Manager of City of Grand Haven. “When we all put our full toolbox into play, we can create attainable workforce housing in Ottawa County. The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Housing Next, Ottawa County, BlueWest Properties, Michigan Community Capital, Ottawa County Land Bank, Grand Haven Charter Township and the City of Grand Haven all put this on the front burner and made it a reality. There’s surely more to come.”

The project will cost $7.5 million over two phases. Last year, the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation approved a $1.5 million low-interest investment in MCC to encourage the creation of middle-income housing in Northwest Ottawa County.

“Solving the workforce housing crisis takes innovative thinking, and we believe this partnership with MCC is a key step to getting there,” said Hadley Streng, President of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation. “We’ve been focused on supporting housing solutions for all income levels in our community for years, and it’s why we helped co-found Housing Next in 2017. We’re inspired by the collaboration of our partner organizations throughout Ottawa County that have brought us to this point.”

16 of the 30 homes in Robinson Landing will be in the Grand Haven Area Community Land Trust (CLT) program which is a shared-equity program allowing for lower home prices because the buyer is purchasing the home, not the land. The CLT retains ownership of the land and enters into a 99-year ground lease with the homeowner. The Grand Haven Area Community Land Trust was created by the City of Grand Haven and is managed by the Neighborhood Housing Services team.

“Neighborhood Housing Services is thrilled to be spearheading the creation of the Grand Haven Area Community Land Trust,” said Rhonda Kleyn, Neighborhood Housing Services Development Coordinator. “The organizing committee has been working for months to create an amazing program for this area. This type of shared equity homeownership program results in the purchase price being more affordable because the purchaser is only buying the home, not the land. The land will be leased from the CLT at a very low monthly cost. It’s likely the potential CLT buyers already rent or work in Grand Haven, and we are excited to work with them to purchase an affordable, newly built home. “

Homes in this program have income restrictions for buyers that target households with incomes between 60 and 80 percent of the area median income (AMI determined by Michigan State Housing Development Authority). Homes in the CLT program are priced at $139,900 for a 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom home; $159,900 for a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, home; and $179,900 for a 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom, two-story home. More detailed information about the homes offered and CLT program can be found at robinsonlandingmi.com.

The remaining 14 homes are not on a ground lease, do not have income restrictions and are considered as market-rate homes. These market-rate homes are priced at $239,900 for a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, ranch-style home; and $279,900 for a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, two-story home.

Built by The DK Design Group, all 30 homes will have identical high-quality finishes and construction that is slab-on-grade with wood-frame, stick-built framing. Stainless steel GE appliances are included in the sale price – a value of over $5,000 that includes a gas stove, dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, refrigerator, washer, and dryer.

Homeowners purchasing prior to the home’s construction deadline will be able to choose finishes from pre-selected options. These finish choices include cabinetry, countertops, flooring, and the exterior package with siding, stone veneer, entry door color, and asphalt shingles. 

The project will be constructed in a two-phase process. The first phase will span 16 months and consist of site preparation and infrastructure to serve the entire site, as well as the construction of 15 homes. 8 of the 15 homes in the first phase will be in the Community Land Trust program. Once 75% of the homes in Phase I are sold, Phase II will begin.

BlueWest Properties, a West Michigan brokerage, is serving as the listing real estate company in the sale of the homes. Driven philanthropically to serve their community, the owner/broker has agreed to a reduced commission allowing home prices to remain low for buyers.

“The BlueWest Properties team is grateful to have been chosen to represent the City of Grand Haven’s first Community Land Trust development,” said Meghan Heritage, Owner and Broker at BlueWest Properties. “We know that affordable housing is a paramount part of a successful community, and as our company tagline states, ‘Better Real Estate for a Better Community.’ We are excited to once again put our hands to work to benefit the community.”

For more information about this project and homes offered, please visit robinsonlandingmi.com.

Michigan Community Capital (MCC) is a non-profit diversified Public Private Partnership that supports the mission of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) by aggregating capital and facilitating the financing and development of low-income and attainable housing and the redevelopment of complex brownfield sites within the State of Michigan. MCC is a US Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a certified Community Development Entity (CDE). MCC has successfully attracted federal New Market Tax Credits, supported over $900 million in project financing and helped to create over 750 housing units and over 950,000-square-feet of commercial, retail and industrial space to facilitate job creation and expansion. MCC provides products in four key pillars: housing equity, bridge and gap lending, New Market Tax Credits and property insurance for Low Income Housing Tax Credit projects. For more information on MCC visit michigancommunitycapital.org.

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