Jun 10, 2025
A relatively new grant program for “emerging” developers has so far deployed nearly $2 million to support more than a dozen projects that could add up to 261 housing units across the city of Grand Rapids.
Since October 2023, the city of Grand Rapids’ Emerging Developer Grant Program has awarded about $1.97 million to 13 individuals or entities in support of proposed projects, several of which are in underserved neighborhoods on the southeast, southwest and west sides of Grand Rapids, a Crain’s Grand Rapids Business analysis has found.
The grant program, which is administered by the city’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, was created out of a fall 2023 policy change that prioritized awarding Local Brownfield Revolving Fund dollars to developers with limited experience. The first grants were awarded in early 2024.
The Local Brownfield Revolving Fund helps defray predevelopment costs using a portion of tax captures on brownfield projects in the city. High priority is given to housing and mixed-use projects. Eligible expenses include site planning, environmental assessment, surveys, architectural services and engineering costs to assist new developers in obtaining site plan approval for their projects.