MSU Extension

A resurgent Michigan doesn’t exist without a resurgent Detroit, and Michigan State University Extension has formed several strategic partnerships to ensure that the Motor City continues to thrive.

Efforts have included planning commission members taking MSU Extension Citizen Planner training and assisting with grant applications. MSU Extension partnered with Wayne County Volunteer Day to assist several nonprofit organizations on achieving community revitalization work throughout Detroit.

MSU Extension also partnered with the Detroit Association of Realtors and University Commons to hold the Baker’s Dozen Realtor Forum and Home Tours designed to stabilize the homes in northwestern Detroit. Fifty-four participants learned about the latest real estate trends, and spoke with title companies, contractors and representatives of the City of Detroit Land Bank and the Wayne County treasurer about foreclosure prevention and purchasing properties.

MSU Extension is also tackling the issue of blight through a strategic partnership with Detroit Impact.

• 300 people participated in the daylong Blight Boot Camp 2016.
• 27 people attended a mobile workshop in Alfonso Wells Memorial Playground planting a community garden and attending an interactive lecture with oral histories on the park’s race wall also known as the Detroit Eight Mile Wall.
• Six community grants were awarded to assist with implementing blight elimination programs in communities.