Escanaba council moves to activate $450,000 held by Community Foundation for local economic development

The Escanaba City Council approved an agreement on Feb. 5 to establish a City of Escanaba Community Benefit Unendowed Agency Fund with the Community Foundation for Delta County, enabling the city to administer loan-based assistance using funds that had been held by the foundation since the dissolution of a prior industrial foundation.

City administration said the fund — initially about $450,000 — will be structured so loans replenish the pool and allow the city to support projects that may not qualify for other programs. "This fund is designed to serve as a flexible financial tool to support local economic vitality through initiatives like job creation and housing growth," administration said. Council was told the foundation would continue to hold and invest the assets and the city would have input but not direct control over investments.

Administration said council would review and approve individual loans and that the fund document includes a requirement to demonstrate public benefit — examples given were job creation, new housing units, infrastructure improvements or increased taxable value. Council and staff discussed flexibility in setting loan terms, security requirements and whether the city's existing loan board or a city-run process should manage approvals.

Council asked whether previously managed CDBG funds or Northern Initiatives activity could be blended with the unendowed fund; staff said CDBG rules likely prevent direct combination but the funds could be used in concert on complementary parts of a project (for example, CDBG for working capital and the unendowed fund for construction). Administration also noted past constraints on state economic development funding and said the city needs an additional, flexible local tool to close financing gaps.

What happens next: Administration will work with the Community Foundation on final documents and council will consider loan approvals and programmatic guidelines as projects are proposed.