December 11, 2020

Application for Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative grants goes live on Dec. 15 

• $10 million available to support small businesses disproportionally impacted by COVID-19 crisis, recent DHHS epidemic orders 
• Application live on www.michiganbusiness.org/relief beginning Dec. 15 at 9 a.m. EST with applications reviewed on a “first-in” basis 
• Small businesses encouraged to review materials, including application questions and tutorial, before applying 
• Michigan Municipal League Foundation to serve as statewide grant administrator 

Michigan’s small businesses that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 virus will be able to apply for grants of up to $15,000 through the Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative beginning at 9:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday, December 15, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today. The program will utilize $10 million in federal U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) CARES Act funding to provide economic assistance to small businesses across Michigan.   
  
Grants will be awarded in the amount of up to $15,000 per eligible business on a “first-in” basis. Information on how to apply – including application questions and instructions and a video tutorial on the application process – as well as eligibility criteria and program guidelines are available at www.michiganbusiness.org/relief.  

Neighborhood Grant Program

The Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Board is very excited about the current Grant Cycle. Take a moment and watch the informational podcast and this Facebook Live and let your creative minds think of what your neighborhood can apply for this year!
All Neighborhood Program Applications are available now!
Join the Neighborhood Advisory Board on January 21, 2021 for a Grant Feedback Workshop!

Podcast Link

Walking Wednesday-The TV Show

This year Walking Wednesday's were scheduled to start right at the beginning of the pandemic. Instead of meeting as a large group, DNCE changed the format to create and produce a TV Show with a partnership with Lansing Public Media and Civic Organizations across the City. The shows filmed this summer episodes can be found at following links:
Southwest Lansing
Baker Neighborhood
Walnut Neighborhood
Oak Park Neighborhood
Downtown Lansing/First Presbyterian Church

If your organization is interested in hosting a Walking Wednesday for 2021 be sure to apply through the Neighborhood Programs link!

Share the gift of hope by donating to the One Lansing Fund, supporting the the COVID-19 Emergency Relief efforts by Capital Area United Way right here in our community.

OneLansing Website: tinyurl.com/onelansingcampaign

Press Release: lansingmi.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=8

Check out this message from Mayor Andy Schor

City of Lansing Updates from Mayor Schor

City of Lansing to Hold Holiday Nights of Lights 

Mayor Andy Schor announced that the City of Lansing will host Holiday Nights of Lights at Frances Park (2701 Moores River Dr. Lansing, MI) every weekend in December from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., starting December 4, 2020. Holiday Nights of Lights will be a free drive-thru event featuring holiday lights throughout the park.  

"The City of Lansing will continue to be creative in offering socially distant and safe activities for our residents as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. The Holiday Nights of Lights will be a family-friendly and free drive-thru event at Frances Park, that is an opportunity to get out of the house and into the holiday spirit throughout the month of December,” said Mayor Schor.

Weekends in December from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. 
December 4-6, 2020 
December 11-13, 2020 
December 18-20, 2020 
December 24-27, 2020 

Sponsors of the event include CASE Credit Union, Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Care Network of Michigan Lansing, Emergent BioSolutions and Lansing Charter Academy. 

Mayor Andy Schor and U.S. Conference of Mayors 
to Host Free Webinar for Small Businesses  

Mayor Andy Schor  announced that he will lead a free Small Business Webinar with American Management Services, a founding member of the Partner America™ Program created by the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) Small Business and Entrepreneurship Task Force, on Monday, December 14, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. The free, 60-minute webinar will feature Louis Mosca, of American Management Services, sharing six proven strategies that help you boost revenue, maximize profit and grow small businesses.  

“Small businesses are the foundation of our local economy and they need our support now, more than ever. The City of Lansing built the Small Business Recovery Program as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the upcoming free webinar is yet another resource that I encourage our independently-owned businesses to take advantage of,” said Mayor Schor.  
City of Lansing small businesses can sign-up to participate in the free webinar at: 
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rX4SeUaMSKmu0tWUfpkXPg. 

Redevelopment of Former City Market Building
Receives City Council Approval 

Mayor Andy Schor announced that both the project plan and lease agreements for the Lansing Shuffleboard & Social Club, the proposed redevelopment at the former City Market building, has received approval by the Lansing City Council.  

Detroit Rising Development (DRD) plans to transform the site into the Lansing Shuffleboard & Social Club, a hub housing food, drink, games, community classes and entertainment. Detroit Rising Development plans to lease the building, complete improvements to the existing space and add a second-floor mezzanine. All improvements to the site and the building will be financed by DRD. 

“The former City Market area is a riverfront space that has the opportunity to bring more vibrancy to Lansing’s Stadium District, Downtown and Eastside. I am appreciative of the investment by Detroit Rising Development in our city. Their plan to revitalize this area and offer a wide variety of new food options and entertainment for our residents and visitors will have a lasting effect in this area of our city. City Council has approved this project and the redevelopment will move forward, even in these tough times.” said Mayor Schor. 

City of Lansing to Offer Free On-Street Metered Parking Through 2020

On-street metered parking in the City of Lansing will be free of charge beginning Monday, November 23, 2020, until Friday, January 1, 2021. On-street parking maximums will continue to be monitored and ticketed. Visitors should look at the signage near where they park for that area’s maximum allowed time.

“The City of Lansing will offer free on-street metered parking citywide to help encourage residents and visitors to shop and eat local. Small businesses in Lansing are facing many on-going challenges due to COVID-19 and offering complimentary parking through the end of the year is one way that the City of Lansing can help support them. With the newest COVID-19 restrictions going into place for the next three weeks, free on-street parking will make it easier for curbside pickup at all of our local businesses,” said Mayor Schor. 

Lansing Fire Department Partners with Lansing School District to Launch Cadet Program

City of Lansing Fire Department and the Lansing School District have partnered to launch the Lansing School District Fire Academy, a cadet program for high school students. This program began operation at the beginning of the school year and was recently approved unanimously by the Lansing City Council.

In March of 2019, Mayor Schor announced his intentions to create a cadet program, similar to that of the Lansing Police Department’s Explorer Program, within the Lansing Fire Department to engage with young people in the City of Lansing and show them what a great and honorable profession it is to become a Firefighter, EMT and/or Paramedic.

Press Release

City Hall and City Facilities to Remain Closed to Public Through January 11, 2021 

Executive Order 2020-06 stating that Lansing City Hall and City owned buildings will remain closed to the public until January 11, 2021, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. City Hall and City buildings will remain accessible to the public by appointment only. The City Clerk’s offices in City Hall and at South Washington Office Complex will remain open to the public for voting purposes through November 3, 2020.

“The number of positive cases of COVID-19 continues to rise in Ingham County and restricting the number of people in City facilities will help keep both our City employees and residents healthy,” said Mayor Schor. “We continue to monitor the situation and will reevaluate when City facilities can safely reopen to the public in the new year.” 

Press Release

Grant Awarded to City of Lansing

The City of Lansing will be awarded $4,589,940 in Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction grant program funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. With these funds, the City will be able to address lead hazards in 189 housing units, providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children.
 
“There are older houses in Lansing with lead paint, which can be a danger if not properly managed or abated. Our Lead Safe Lansing program has been there for our residents but needs more funding to continue to protect our families from lead exposure. This grant is tremendously important to continue to ramp up our work on lead containment, reduction and abatement in our older homes. I am proud of our staff for their hours of hard work to secure these federal dollars on behalf of our residents.”
 
The purpose of the Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction (LBPHR) grant program is to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in eligible privately-owned homes that are either for rent or owner-occupied. The LBPHR program is targeted to urban jurisdictions that have at least 3,500 pre-1940 occupied rental housing units.

More Information

Laptop Assistance Programs

1.It With Causes.
This nonprofit organization focuses on giving laptops, computers, and other devices to families in need. The application process is simple, and With Causes volunteers review each help request, case by case, to determine whether they can be of assistance. 
You’ll have to apply to take advantage of what they offer, but it’s pretty easy to do. Just fill out the application and explain your situation and your needs. Give them your contact information, and you’ll get a response from the organization once they’ve reviewed your file. 
To apply, visit https://www.withcauses.org/askforhelp.htm.

2. Computers with Causes is another good nonprofit option
Another nonprofit organization you should look into is Computers with Causes. This organization provides refurbished computers at no cost to those with financial need. Students and returning military veterans can also qualify through this organization. 
This organization does a needs assessment and a background and reference check — so you will have to give them some information to get approved. After your application is submitted, the Board of Directors will review the information provided and then review their inventory. If they can assist you, you will be contacted within 30 days. 
To apply, visit https://www.computerswithcauses.org/application.htm.
Related: 15 tech upgrades you can get for free

3. Everyone On
If you qualify as low income, check into the nonprofit organization Everyone On. This group helps people on a low income to get complimentary or low-cost laptops and low-cost internet service. 
This organization works with many different businesses and ISPs to help get access and tech to low-income families, so requirements will vary based on the program. The programs you qualify for will also vary, so you’ll need to check out the Everyone On website for more information. 
To learn more or apply, visit https://www.everyoneon.org/lowcost-offers

4. National Cristina Foundation gives out laptops to people in need, too
National Cristina Foundation is another nonprofit group that works to get laptops to people in need. This group “works to promote technology reuse by educating businesses and the public that technology resources coming out of their first place of use can be given a second productive life for developing human potential.”
In other words, businesses can donate their used tech devices to this foundation. Once they’re spruced up, the foundation gives them to the people who need them most. This foundation works in communities rather than with individuals, so the requirements will vary. 
For more information, visit National Cristina Foundation at donatetechnology.org/.

5.  The On It Foundation
Do you have a student in your home who’s enrolled in public K-12 education in the U.S.? Do they get free or reduced lunch (or qualify for it)? If so, you can get a free computer from the On It Foundation. 
The awesome thing about this foundation is that they also serve people who don’t qualify via the Jump On It! Program. The one caveat is that you’ll have to pay a discounted amount for the computer you get. Still, this foundation could be a good option for resolving your computer issues even at a heavily discounted price.
You can visit the FAQ page to learn how to apply for a free laptop at https://theonitfoundation.org/faqs/.

6. PCs for People provides computers and low cost internet if you’re eligible
Another nonprofit is PCs for People, which provides computers and low-cost internet to eligible recipients. This organization is a Microsoft Registered Refurbisher as well, so the computers it offers also come with licensed copies of Windows 10.
Want to apply? You’ll need to be below the 200% poverty level or enrolled in an income-based government assistance program to be eligible. Once you’re approved, you can shop on the website or in-store for your new computer, but you’ll need to show a photo ID and proof of eligibility.
To find out if you’re eligible or to apply, visit https://www.pcsforpeople.org/eligibility/

Website Organization Survey

Do you want to know more about public works projects and how they may affect you?

The City of Lansing has partnered with a team of graduate students from the University of Michigan - School of Information to assist with a project aimed at improving the availability of information about public service projects and emergency alerts.
 
We are asking residents to help us better understand their preferences for finding information and receiving alerts about public service projects by taking this short 5-minute survey!
 
All responses are anonymous and confidential.

https://umich.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5bCNa269DlOmNWl

Front Yard Parking Enforcement

Front yard parking is illegal and is prohibited in  residential and office districts.
Fines associated with front yard parking violations include $150 for a first offense, $250 for a second offense and $500 for a third offense.
Over three tickets on the same vehicle are subject to be towed.
Front yard parking enforcement protects the appearance of neighborhoods, property values and enhances public safety.

BOLD Lansing

Economic Mobility Initiative

Lansing was one of 9 cities chosen for the What Works Cities: Economic Mobility Initiative. Learn how the City and its partners have used this opportunity to benefit Lansing families.
 
Link to the article on Medium:
https://medium.com/what-works-cities-economic-mobility-initiative/lansing-makes-it-easier-to-save-for-a-lifetime-of-success-3d666b82f9eb

Are you interested in learning more about what goes on within the Public Service Department? Check out the Public Service Department's newsletter — available now!

Click here: https://bit.ly/34glC2o to access the "Public Service Announcement."

Bulk Trash Collection

Bulk collection requests can be made by filling out the "Bulk Collection Request" form.

Click here: https://bit.ly/3c3bgGy for additional information and to access the request form.

Rental Assistance Available for Ingham County Residents

Financial help for tenants and landlords impacted by pandemic

A collaborative of nonprofit housing service providers announced a rental assistance program designed to keep Ingham County residents who fell behind on their rent during COVID-19 in their homes. The Eviction Diversion Program is being administered by Holy Cross Services in partnership with Advent House Ministries, Capital Area Housing Partnership, Legal Services of South Central Michigan and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services – Ingham County.

Under the Eviction Diversion Program, rental assistance will be made available in the form of lump sum payments to landlords in exchange for allowing tenants to remain in their homes. Tenants whose back rent is not completely covered by the program will be entered into manageable payment plans. Ingham County received over $2 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funds from the state of Michigan to assist tenants and landlords for rent due beginning March 1, 2020. 

Eligibility for rental assistance payments will be structured based on the tenant’s income. A tenant’s income must be less than 100% of area median income. For an individual in Ingham County, area median income is $56,200 and for a family of four in Ingham County, area median income is $80,200. Tenants below 50% area median income will be offered case management services to help connect them with other beneficial programs and services.

For more information or to participate in the rental assistance program, tenants and landlords may contact Holy Cross Services at (517) 657-8145, Monday-Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm or via email at evictions@hccsnet.org. 

Ingham County Land Bank

Ingham County Land Bank has vacant property for sale! Interested in that vacant lot right next door? The Land Bank may be able to help!

More details at: https://inghamlandbank.org/properties/vacant-interest

A Community Response to Domestic Violence

Capital Area Response Effort is a post-arrest response team that provides crisis intervention and advocacy to people who have experienced intimate partner violence. Since the rise of COVID-19, the CARE Program has had an increase in survivors seeking resources like hotel rooms and the Personal Needs Closet. Your contribution could cover the cost of someone's groceries, put gas in their car, help get their locks changed, or secure a safe place to stay. Amidst the anxieties and dangers of this public health crisis, what we all have to lean on is each other; what we have to anchor us is the strength of our community. Let survivors know that you're standing with them through this by making a donation today.
 
If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, there is help available. To speak with an advocate at the CARE Program to inquire about services or make a donation, please call 517-272-7436.

Resources

Lansing Neighborhood News

The Neighborhood News has returned and will include COVID-19 resources and links to the website. The City of Lansing COVID-19 website will be updated with resources daily and residents and businesses are encouraged to check the following LINK for updated information.

We are getting many calls about how we can help our neighbors during this time. We will include opportunities to help each other and resources where help is available. If you have information that you would like included, please send it to DeLisa Fountain at DeLisa.Fountain@lansingmi.gov .  This emergency is changing daily and we are committed to making sure our neighbors have the information necessary to care for themselves, their neighbors, and our community. 

Sign up to receive weekly Neighborhood News by email HERE 
Be sure to check the Neighborhood News list and confirm in the follow up email you receive from the City of Lansing.