Welcome to Wayne County, Michigan

On June 16^th, 2010, Executive Robert Ficano announced Wayne County’s allocation of over $40 million dollars to 55 community development projects throughout Wayne County. The projects were funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through three programs: Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), and HOME Investment Partnerships Program. The bundled monies were earmarked for 18 Wayne County communities -- including $19 million for the city of Detroit. It’s the largest annual HUD allocation the county has ever received and dispersed.

The projects, which were approved by the Wayne County Commission, will empower the non-profits, private developers and individuals with the tools necessary to make a difference in our communities. The community development projects represent a sizeable investment toward stabilizing neighborhoods, helping disadvantaged residents, and stimulating local economic development. Wayne County minimized administrative costs to less than 10 percent so more funds could be allocated for the projects.

Partnerships were critical to leveraging these dollars to increase the total investment and create jobs. For example, the stem cell commercialization center is a partnership with doctors from the University of Michigan.

Among the more notable projects:

• Demolition of 450 blighted homes in Detroit
• Building of an emergency shelter with support services for veterans in Detroit
• An athletic center in the Taylor/Dearborn Heights area
• A shelter for domestic violence abuse victims in Wayne
• An adult stem cell business incubator in Plymouth Township

Community projects also are approved in Allen Park, Ecorse, Grosse Pointe Park, Garden City, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park, Inkster, Melvindale, River Rouge, Romulus, Van Buren Township and Wyandotte.