FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2020
Contact: Sarah Teater, Program Manager, CEDAM
(517) 485-2588 ext. 1949 | teater@cedamichigan.org
Fellows will expand organizational capacity, increase local collaboration, and remove barriers to development.
Lansing, MI—The Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) is excited to announce the ten communities chosen to host a community development fellow for the 2020-21 program year: Cass City, Cassopolis, Charlevoix, Frankenmuth, Mount Clemens, Oscoda Township, Shelby, St. Ignace, St. Johns, and Ypsilanti.
This is the second year of CEDAM’s Community Development Fellowship, made possible through funding and partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The fellowship was created to help address a common challenge Michigan’s diverse communities face: A lack of sufficient capacity to achieve their economic development potential. Fellow projects will expand organizational capacity, increase local collaboration, and remove barriers to development.
“Vibrant, strong communities attract and retain young professionals, increase tourism, and support small businesses, but communities need to collaborate and build capacity to move forward and transform,” said Michelle Parkkonen, community development director of technical assistance programs at MEDC. “By participating in CEDAM’s Community Development Fellowship program, these 10 communities will be empowered to build a strong future, and we’re pleased to support their efforts.”
CEDAM is now seeking candidates to fill fellowship positions. Projects examples include the creation of a Façade Grant Program, selecting and marketing sites for redevelopment, and planning interactive events for community engagement.
“Last year’s fellows made a significant impact on their communities, and we are excited for ten new communities, all of whom are engaged in the Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) program, to benefit from the fellowship,” said Sarah Teater, program manager at CEDAM. “The selected hosts have identified ambitious and impactful projects that will make a difference in their communities. We are excited to recruit fellows to match their needs and increase capacity to get things done.”
To learn more or to apply to be a community development fellow, visit cedamichigan.org/fellowship.
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