LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – At the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and the Michigan Growth Office announced the latest round of funding for the Make MI Home program, a statewide initiative aimed at attracting and retaining residents.
The Growth Office awarded a total of $769,000 to five new organizations across Michigan. These grants will support programs offering downpayment assistance, employment support, and educational resources, with the goal of addressing population stagnation and encouraging local growth. In its first two years, the office has awarded more than $1.4 million in funding to 10 projects.
“Michigan is the best place in America to make it,” said Quentin L. Messer Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “Programs like this are essential to Michigan’s long-term economic and community development strategy.”
The Make MI Home program was launched as a pilot in 2023 and received 20 proposals from across the state. This year, 39 applications were submitted, and five recipients were selected to receive funding for their regional strategies.
New Grant Recipients
- City of Detroit ($210,000): Funding will support the Detroit Tech Fellowship Program, focused on early-stage startup founders in sectors including AI, biotech, clean energy, and mobility. The program offers coworking space, housing support, and networking opportunities.
- K-Connect, Grand Rapids ($200,000): The “Teach Here” pilot targets educator shortages by supporting aspiring teachers in high-need areas. Benefits include relocation support, mentorship, and childcare assistance.
- Michigan Women Forward ($200,000): The “Founder Forward” initiative supports Michigan-based entrepreneurs and aims to attract new founders, particularly those who have not had access to traditional startup resources.
- International Center of Greater Flint ($100,000): The “Genesee Future Forward” program will connect college students to local employers and offer incentives such as housing aid, coworking space, and professional networking.
- Traverse Connect ($59,000): Funding will be used for housing assistance, relocation support, and cultural engagement efforts aimed at retaining professionals in Northwest Michigan.
“Our top priority is helping more people reach their full potential in Michigan,” said Lt. Gov. Gilchrist. “This investment will help organizations build programs designed to support local talent and expand economic opportunity.”
For more details or to apply for funding from the Make MI Home program, visit www.themichiganlife.org/makemihome.
