Regional economic development group outlines $2.1M grant program, kiosks and housing targets
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Summary
Target’s executive director told the council of a $2.1 million MEDC grant creating a Small Business Support Hub, direct $5,000 grants to local firms, a 60-business mentorship, and plans for roughly $271,000 in kiosks and housing projects to spur investment in Alpena.
An executive director of Target (organization name as used in the transcript) presented the group’s first semiannual report under new leadership and summarized major initiatives the group will pursue in 2026.
The presentation emphasized four pillars: (1) building regional capacity including work on Qualified Opportunity Zones and advocacy at the state level; (2) strengthening partnerships with the Alpena Chamber and local businesses; (3) small business support driven by a $2,100,000 Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) grant that established a Small Business Support Hub and funded direct grants and mentorship; and (4) housing and infrastructure work aimed at increasing local housing stock.
The presenter said the MEDC grant produced a direct-grant program that distributed roughly $400,000 in $5,000 awards (about 80–90 awards in the first tranche) and that Target created a 60-business mentorship program. As incentives, Target will provide up to $1,500 in marketing dollars per mentored business (estimated $90,000 total) and cover up to 50% of first-season kiosk rental fees at Water Street Commons to help microbusinesses get started. The speaker described a proposed $271,000 investment to add kiosks and said the total contract related to that component was approximately $294,000 as presented to council.
Target also said it has formed the Lake Huron Regional Development Corporation (a newly created 501(c)(3) per the presentation) to develop housing projects; the presenter said early efforts outside Alpena had generated about $420,000 toward a $1,000,000 development in a neighboring community and that prospective projects north of town could represent over $100,000,000 in possible investment if fully realized.
Gene Maricle, introduced as Target’s housing and development coordinator, briefly addressed the council as part of the team’s introduction.
The council moved to receive and file Target’s semiannual report; the motion carried on voice/roll call (recorded as ayes). The presentation and the receive-and-file motion do not by themselves authorize spending of the MEDC grant or commit city funds for Target’s programs; those actions occur through separate agreements and approvals.
Next steps: Target will follow DDA and grant conditions for kiosk approvals and continue to pursue project funding; the DDA must approve kiosk siting and program specifics before dollars are disbursed to local businesses.
