MSHDA Announces New Web Site to Help Downtown Efforts

Vibrant downtowns surrounded by walkable, safe neighborhoods attract new residents and businesses, promote investment, and jump-start economic growth. To achieve this, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority Thursday launched a new resource for communities to tap into information that will help make their downtowns vital economic centers. The Michigan Main Street Center, a part of the Specialized Technical Assistance and Revitalization Strategy Division at MSHDA, unveiled the new Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA Web site.

"Our goal is to help communities in the revitalization of their historic downtowns and traditional neighborhood commercial districts," said STARS Director Joe Borgstrom. "The Web site provides detailed information on the programs we provide, highlights the efforts and events of our Main Street communities, provides news and updates of our activities and numerous links to our and our partners Web sites and social media efforts like blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter."

The Web site, www.michiganmainstreetcenter.com, recognizes the multiple and unique partnerships the Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA has with entities within and beyond state government. Their partnerships include the State Historic Preservation Office for the Michigan Main Street program, the Michigan Municipal League for the Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns and numerous statewide and Main Street groups as part of the Michigan Main Street Advisory Committee.

"Place matters," Borgstrom said. "People choose to live, work, and play in vibrant cities and walkable, safe neighborhoods. The STARS Division and the new Web site is an integral part of MSHDA's efforts to help make Michigan communities more vibrant places to live, work and play."

MSHDA's vision in the 21st century is to improve the quality of life for all Michigan residents and create vibrant communities by focusing on providing safe, affordable housing through homeownership and rental programs; ending homelessness; and revitalizing neighborhoods and downtowns. MSHDA's loans and operating expenses are financed through the sale of tax-exempt and taxable bonds and notes to private investors, not from state tax revenues. For information on this and other MSHDA programs, visit the Web site at www.michigan.gov/mshda.