Grant Money Awarded to Genesee County to Eliminate Blighted Properties

Genesee County will receive nearly $4 million as part of a statewide blight elimination project according to State Representative Joe Graves.

A total of 34 municipal, township and counties entities throughout the state will share in $15 million in funding to help eliminate blight in their communities.

Graves, a Republican from Argentine township, said "abandoned homes and properties throughout our communities are a detriment to our public safety and our property values. These grants will make room for new opportunities in Genesee County to improve the lives of local residents for years to come while keeping our communities safer.

The majority of the funds will be distributed to the Genesee County Land Bank, which will receive $3,713,240 for its blight elimination project. The Genesee County Planning Commission will receive the remainder, $182,960.

The funding comes from the March 2012 national settlement the state received over mortgage foreclosure practices.