FLINT, MI — The vice president of a community development institution is the recipient of the 2021 Community Spirit Award for Michigan.
Marcus Rankins, vice president of asset development at Metro Community Development, was bestowed the FHLBank Indianapolis 2021 Community Spirit Award, which recognizes an outstanding individual making a difference in Indiana and Michigan.
“Marcus and Metro Community Development have been valuable partners and have utilized our Homeownership Initiatives programs to great effect,” MaryBeth Wott, community investment and underwriting/credit operations officer at FHLBank Indianapolis, said in a joint news release with Metro Community Development and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis.
FHLBanks are government-sponsored enterprises created by Congress to ensure access to low-cost funding for their member financial institutions, with particular attention paid to providing solutions that support the housing and small business needs of members’ customers.
In his interactions with FHLBank Indianapolis, Rankins oversaw the distribution of more than $1 million of home repair grant funding through their Neighborhood Improvement Program, providing up to $7,500 per household for essential repairs and the Accessibility Modification program, providing up to $10,000 to low-income senior or handicapped homeowners during a three-year period.
The funds from the home loan program can be used for a new roof, furnace, windows, siding and more.
Applications for home improvement grants are not open and can be found here.
“Marcus Rankins is a true community advocate,” Brian Glowiak, CEO of Metro Community Development, said in the news release. “His work exemplifies the important role our organization plays within the community and we are proud that Marcus’ talent for leveraging resources to assist both families and small businesses is being recognized.
“He worked closely with FHLBI to secure valuable grants to help numerous residents fund critical repairs and improvements to their homes. His management of our small business and consumer loan programs has helped low-income and low-wealth people join the economic mainstream. His commitment to serving the community is unmatched.”
Metro Community Development also offers an Accessibility Modification program that is geared towards individuals with physical limitations and the need to enhance some area of their home.
Additionally, over the previous three years, Rankins administered more than $4 million in loans to new and expanding businesses in Flint and Genesee County, which directly created or retained more than 200 jobs, per the release.
“When we get a client for a small business that’s interested in either starting their business or expanding it, or anything of that nature we’re able to kind of walk alongside them and really give them some guidance and some advice from a professional perspective as well as connect them with industry professionals,” Rankins said.
He said working and helping small businesses is one of the accomplishments he’s most proud of.
When not working at Metro Community Development securing needed community resources, Rankins can be found coaching girls’ basketball or volunteering as coaching support for a variety of youth sports.
Metro Community Development is a community development financial institution, dedicated to fostering community development and creating economic opportunities for individuals and businesses.
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https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/01/flint-nonprofit-vp-recognized-for-securing-over-1m-in-grants-to-help-residents-fund-home-repairs.html
