Latest News & Job Updates in Negaunee’s West End

Nate Heffron, city manager, city of Negaunee

Marquette County, like much of the nation, is facing a shortage of affordable and attainable housing. Local governments, including Negaunee, are grappling with how to address the issue.

Defining what makes housing affordable or attainable varies by community and individual income levels. Therefore, providing a diverse spectrum of housing choices is crucial.

Marquette County Intergovernmental Housing Taskforce, which the city has been part of, is analyzing the local housing market. This analysis will inform the community about their housing needs and steer developers towards creating housing that the market demands.

Armed with this information, communities can tap into state and federal programs that aid housing development. Unique approaches, such as selling excess city property at a discounted rate to stimulate housing construction, have been successful in Negaunee.

A recent development agreement resulted in a new home under construction and three more planned. Private properties are also being developed, including a new subdivision that could add 27 homes.

Brownfield funding facilitated this development by offsetting costs of major infrastructure like water, sewers, and street bases. But housing development in Negaunee still lags behind what is needed for growth.

As populations in the Upper Peninsula continue to dwindle, local economies and community services risk declining. Therefore, it is crucial to address the housing shortage to uphold the region’s way of life and stimulate growth.

Collaborative efforts are essential to build more housing in Negaunee and throughout our region, safeguarding our communities’ future.