Michigan Business Beat | Quentin Messer Jr. MEDC, Revitalizing Detroit’s North End with Opportunity!

Chris Holman welcomes back Quentin Messer, Jr. ,Chief Executive Officer and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund MEDC, Detroit, MI. Chris had several things he wanted to find out from Quentin in this conversation: The more than $500,000 in RAP funding to redevelop 9301 Oakland Ave. is a significant investment in the city’s future. Can you talk about why this project was selected for this funding and how it will transform Detroit’s North End? What role do you see Detroit playing in Michigan’s broader economic landscape in the years to come? How does the RAP initiative align with MEDC’s broader mission of helping people "Make it in Michigan"? Looking ahead to 2025, what strategic priorities will MEDC focus on to continue driving economic growth in Michigan? How does MEDC plan to support Michigan’s small businesses and entrepreneurs in the coming year? Can you discuss the importance of inclusive economic development and how MEDC ensures opportunities are accessible to all Michiganders? Governor Whitmer Announces More Housing, Space for Small Business in Detroit. The rehabilitation of vacant properties will add housing, commercial space, and increased density to Detroit’s North End. LANSING, Mich. – Recently, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced redevelopment projects receiving support from the Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program, which will see the rehabilitation of vacant and functionally obsolete buildings in Detroit’s North End and downtown Alma. Together, the projects will create 19 residential units and generate a total capital investment of over $6.2 million in the state. The RAP program provides access to gap financing for place-based infrastructure development, real estate rehabilitation and development, and public space improvements. “Today’s projects in Detroit and Alma will revitalize abandoned buildings into new housing and space for small businesses,” said Governor Whitmer. “The RAP program helps us make our big cities and small towns better, more affordable places to live, work, and do business. These investments show how we’re improving quality of life for Michiganders by replacing old, abandoned buildings with new ones that give more Michiganders an affordable place to live or start or grow their own business. Let’s keep working together to lower costs for buyers and renters and reinvest in our communities.” “On behalf of the MEDC, we are pleased to work with communities across Michigan and invest in their resilience through the RAP program as part of our ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic strategy’s placemaking efforts,” said Michele Wildman, MEDC Chief Place Officer. “We look forward to seeing how these projects bring new life to vacant buildings while improving Detroit and downtown Alma for their communities and residents.” In Detroit’s North End, a vacant and blighted hundred-year-old building located at 9301 Oakland Avenue will be redeveloped into 10 residential units and 5,200 square feet of commercial space, enhancing walkability and connectivity to the neighboring commercial corridor. The project, which is supported by $507,713 in RAP grant funding, is expected to generate a total capital investment of $3,202,007. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/