Opportunity Knocks and White Cloud Answers

City selected to host Community Development Fellow
 
On Friday, the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) announced the ten communities chosen to host Community Development Fellows in 2023.  The City of White Cloud is among this year’s cohort, the only community from West Michigan.
 
CEDAM’s Community Development Fellowship program was created in 2018 to help add capacity to communities working to achieve their economic development potential.  Fellows have a proven track record of securing grant funding for projects, supporting the integration of planning and zoning best practices, gathering important resident feedback and much more!  This program is made possible through funding and partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.  This technical assistance program places a trained community development professional in selected communities for 15 months, at minimal cost to the community.
 
“We are thrilled that White Cloud has been chosen for this amazing opportunity!  We are looking forward to hosting a fellow and working collaboratively with local leaders, stakeholders, and residents to continue to work towards White Cloud’s full potential.  It’s a marathon and not a sprint, but this is an excellent step assisting us in the goals we have.” says City Manager, April Storms.
 
This opportunity will capitalize on the momentum the City of White Cloud has had over the past 12 months, including: significant progress on redevelopment ready communities’ certification, partnership with developers on workforce housing PILOT opportunities, securing several grants for upgrades to parks, security, sidewalks, and several park upgrades. 
 
“The City of White Cloud’s participation with the CEDAM Fellowship program is another example of the growth focus exhibited by their current leadership,” shared Julie Burrell, Newaygo County Economic Development Director and Regional Partner Lead for The Right Place. “It is exciting to see communities take advantage of the resources available, and we are excited to work alongside White Cloud through this incredible opportunity.”

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