BRONSON, MI (WTVB) – Bronson City Manager Brandon Mersman told the City Council this week that they were able to award all of the funds provided from the MSHDA Neighborhood Enhancement Program Grant totaling $40,000.
The funds were designated for the Washington Street and Winona Street neighborhood which is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Bronson.
Money from the grant helped homeowners with exterior home improvements and reduced blight in the neighborhood.
Six grants were awarded by the City to homeowners for work that included new roofs at two homes, new siding at two others, a new front porch at one home along with new porch windows and a new walkway at another home.
With this grant, the homeowners who got grants invested an additional $22,600 into their homes using the City’s interest free loan program.
Since all of the grant funds were used, the City of Bronson is considered a “high performer” and will be eligible to apply for up to $20,000 in additional funds to offer additional grant dollars to homeowners.
Remaining unused funds are redistributed to top performers after the grant period. The City will be asking to expand the neighborhood to include South Lincoln and Buchanan Street as well as Washington and Winona in the hopes of having a stronger pool of applicants with high need properties.
The City will be informed about additional grant dollars around February 14, 2020.
