Sturgis Neighborhood Program reports grant awards, household disposal and workforce construction project

Katherine Myers, executive director of the Sturgis Neighborhood Program, updated the Sturgis City Commission on July 14 about recent programs and partnerships aimed at improving housing and neighborhood quality of life.

Myers said the program’s household disposal day was its most successful to date: "We served approximately 80 households during our most recent event," she said, noting three 40-yard dumpsters were filled and that the organization had to request a fourth; during that single event staff disposed of more than 30 mattresses and box springs. Since launching the disposal initiative in October 2024, Myers reported the program has removed more than 4,840 cubic yards of household waste while serving nearly 250 households at no cost to participating homeowners.

Myers described the Home Pride paint program, which last year provided 12 households with 10 gallons of exterior paint each and already has seven applications for 2026. She announced a $72,000 MSHDA 'My Neighborhood 2.0' grant to assist income-qualified homeowners; five eligible applications were received and projects have been prioritized by blind lottery, with work scheduled to be completed by 2027-01-30.

Myers also summarized a snow-removal coalition (four households helped in its first season with four volunteers, including two youth volunteers), volunteer storm cleanup following June storms, and a construction trades partnership that engaged 40 high-school students in building a home during the 2024–25 school year; the program has executed a purchase agreement for that home and title work is underway.

Myers thanked the commission, city staff, United Way and the Sturgis Area Community Foundation for support and offered to answer questions from the commission.