LANSING – State Representative Marcia Hovey-Wright (D-Muskegon) hailed the recent announcement that the city of Muskegon will be the recipient of a $250,000 grant to remove blight from the Nelson, Jackson Hill and Nims neighborhoods.

“This grant is great news for our city, as it works so hard to rebuild itself after troubling economic times,” Rep. Hovey-Wright said. “These funds will be put to work clearing away dilapidated and dangerous structures so that new homes can be built, and new families move into our community.”

The funds will be used to bring down 33 of the 50-75 residential properties identified in Muskegon’s Blight Flight program, which began two years ago. The Blight Elimination Program grant is being made through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s Michigan Home Ownership Protection Fund. The Blight Elimination Program has funded approximately $25 million in demolition projects across the state since 2012.

“Everyone wants to take pride in their community, and this program will help us remove blight and rebuild for a better future,” Hovey-Wright said. “I’m grateful for the city of Muskegon’s leadership in applying for this grant, and grateful to MSHDA for making the funds available. Working together, we can prepare Muskegon for a better future.”