Jackson County to pursue $472,000 CDBG home‑rehab grant; public hearing set for July 22

Jackson County commissioners voted unanimously to authorize submission of a full Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application and to set a public hearing for Tuesday, July 22 at 7:05 p.m. The request was made by Debbie Kelly, vice president of operations for Accelerate Jackson, on behalf of Jackson County; the application seeks $472,000 through the Michigan neighborhood program administered by MSHDA.

The funding request includes $400,000 for homeowner rehabilitation projects and $72,000 for administrative and program-related costs, Kelly said. “The purpose of the $472,000 CDBG funding is through the Michigan neighborhood program, our intent to submit a CDBG application and to develop a homeowner rehab improvement program for qualified Jackson County residents,” Kelly told commissioners.

The vote allows Accelerate Jackson to prepare and submit the full application; commissioners also approved placing a public hearing on the calendar so residents can comment before the full application is submitted to the state. Commissioners and staff emphasized that no county general fund dollars will be used to pay for program activities and that the county would be the official applicant for the grant.

Why it matters: the CDBG homeowner rehabilitation program would pay for repairs such as roofs, furnaces and other qualifying home‑improvement work for eligible homeowners in parts of Jackson County that are not inside the City of Jackson. Supporters said the program helps keep homes habitable and on the tax rolls; opponents and some public commenters raised governance and vendor‑selection concerns.

Discussion and program details: Kelly said the application is “no cost to the county” and that Accelerate Jackson expects the $72,000 in administrative fees to cover program administration, notices and related expenses. Sam Ramsey, founder of Profitable Affordable Housing Development LLC, described outreach he said he conducted to encourage counties across Michigan to apply for the state funds and said his firm would help assemble the application and manage grant tasks.

Commissioners pressed for details on eligibility and administration. Commissioner Snell noted the grant’s $400,000 program amount would average about $10,000 per household if 40 homes were served but could cover up to $40,000 for a single home depending on needs; Ramsey confirmed the program could award varying amounts per applicant. Commissioner Pulaski asked about liens; Kelly and Ramsey said state rules require a retention period when awards exceed a threshold (the transcript records a five‑year requirement tied to higher award amounts). Kelly said the full application will include program rules, selection criteria, and a process for environmental reviews and contractor payments.

On selection and contractors: Ramsey and Kelly said the state recommended paying contractors directly rather than issuing homeowner checks; Ramsey said the state suggested creating a ranked list or “rolodex” of contractors to use for projects, and Kelly said Accelerate Jackson would work with Community Action Agency and county staff to meet state requirements. Kelly also said the state’s application rules changed this year and that the county must submit by the state deadline (the full application is due by September 17 with final funding allocations made September 30, per presenters).

Public comment and concerns: earlier in the meeting, resident John Wilson criticized the involvement of Accelerate Jackson and a private LLC tied to Sam Ramsey, calling the firm “Profitable Affordable Housing” and raising questions about past projects and conflicts of interest. “When did she become a county CDBG liaison?” Wilson asked, referring to Debbie Kelly, and he questioned county staff signatures on the letter of intent. Kelly responded during the agenda item that Accelerate Jackson is acting as a fiduciary and liaison and that the county would remain the applicant.

Next steps: commissioners approved moving ahead with the full application and set the public hearing for July 22 at 7:05 p.m.; Kelly said the full application will be completed by the September 17 state deadline and that the program would request 24 months to distribute funds if awarded. Kelly and Ramsey said they will return with the full application for county review and that they will work with county administrator Michael Overton and others for guidance. The county emphasized it will not assign county employees to administer the program; Accelerate Jackson indicated it will hire for project administration under the grant if awarded.

The motion to allow Accelerate Jackson to submit the application and to set the public hearing passed unanimously.