Applications are open for a new program offering $5,000 in housing assistance to people moving to northwest Michigan.
The Make Your Home in Northwest Michigan program, launched by Traverse Connect in partnership with several regional organizations, aims to attract and retain talent in the area, according to a community announcement.
The program will award $5,000 in cash housing assistance to 10 individuals who are either relocating to or securing new housing in northwest Michigan and have a job offer or are already employed by a local employer. Recipients will also receive $1,500 in in-kind benefits, including relocation assistance, networking event admission and passes to arts and cultural experiences.
The Make Your Home in Northwest Michigan program, launched by Traverse Connect in partnership with several regional organizations, aims to attract and retain talent in the area.
Program aims to help new hires feel at home
“At Cherryland, our strength has always been our people. We have a lean team full of talent and heart. It’s important to me that we take good care of our employees, so they can give their best to our members,” Rachel Johnson, CEO of Cherryland Electric Cooperative, said in the announcement. “The Make MI Home program through Traverse Connect will give businesses tools to help new hires connect and feel at home in our community.”
Eligible applicants must be seeking housing in northwest Michigan with a new lease or mortgage starting no earlier than April 1, 2025, and be employed by a company located or headquartered in Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee or Wexford counties. Recipients must remain in Michigan for at least 12 months.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until May 26, 2026, or until all 10 awards have been granted.
The program is funded through the Make MI Home program, a statewide talent attraction and retention initiative supported by the Michigan Growth Office.
This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Relocation help for new hires in northwest Michigan