A river view of the City of Allegan's downtown. (City of Allegan)
The city of Allegan is going to have an emerging community leader join its staff for 15 months to work closely with city officials, local organizations, and residents to support economic development, housing initiatives, and community vitality.
The city has been selected to host a Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) fellow. CEDAM is a coalition of leaders from the state’s community development sector.
The fellowship program is designed to connect talented individuals with communities across Michigan, offering them the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while addressing critical local challenges. Fellows work on a range of projects, including affordable housing, economic support, and community engagement initiatives.
“The addition of a CEDAM fellow to the city of Allegan team will help us achieve our full economic development potential, especially as we address housing in our community,” says Joel Dye, Allegan city manager.
Emphasis on housing
The fellowship wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Allegan County Community Foundation, Dye says.
"This fellowship is a unique opportunity to bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to our community while supporting our efforts to address the lack of housing stock in Allegan County,” says Stephanie Calhoun, CEO of the Allegan County Community Foundation (ACCF).
The yet-to-be-named CEDAM fellow will begin in January with a focus on improving housing outcomes, increasing community engagement, and improving financial opportunity and sustainability, collaborating with various stakeholders.
Other responsibilities will include supporting grant writing, assisting with updates to the city’s master plan and zoning ordinances, and helping to advance economic development efforts, with a focus on promoting equity and improving the quality of life for community members.
The fellowship is open to individuals at any stage of their career, whether they are just starting out or seeking a career change. Many CEDAM fellows go on to pursue careers in government, policy, or the nonprofit sector.
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