Mid-Michigan will be enriched by several of the entrepreneurial projects approved for statewide development recently by the Michigan Strategic Fund, but maybe most of all by the accompanying approval for funding to renovate a historic area opera house.
The announcements were made by the
Michigan Economic Development Corporation and included a $1 million grant from the Michigan Community Revitalization Program to the Wright Opera House in Alma.
The historic building block housing the Wright Opera House was damaged by fire in 2010, and will be renovated into both residential units and retail space, as well as undertaking historic renovation of the opera house itself. The block is made up of some three-story buildings and an adjacent one-story buildings. The top two floors of the block will be made into residential apartments, while the first floor will house several commercial tenants in about 18,000 square feet. The whole project is expected to create 42 jobs in the city.
The project will take place with the help of the City of Alma, which is upgrading surrounding infrastructure including resurfacing and landscaping of three nearby downtown parking lots, and installing LED street lighting. The city will get $419,958 in Community Development Block Grant funding to do so.
Other statewide entrepreneurial projects funded at the same time include entrepreneur training and consulting, an innovation competition and investor forum, creation of angel investor funds, a center for leadership and others.
Writer: Kim Eggleston
Source: Michigan Economic Development Corporation
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