Marquette County Land Bank Authority

09/22/2026

A very familiar colleague has joined the land bank family in Michigan! 👏🏽

The Michigan Land Bank Association (MLBA) today announced the appointment of Christopher Pookie Germain as the association’s first full-time Executive Director. Germain, a seasoned nonprofit executive and economic development leader, assumes the role this month, just in time for our annual conference in Battle Creek, Oct 7-9. Germain succeeds Michelle Thompson, who has served as the organization’s first Executive Director in a part-time capacity since 2024.

The hire comes at a pivotal moment for land banking in Michigan. A recent statewide report found that Michigan's land banks have contributed more than $2.4 billion in economic activity over the last 20 years — a testament to the transformational role land banks play in returning property to productive use and strengthening communities across the state. As more counties establish land banks and existing ones deepen their integration with local economic development partners, MLBA is positioning itself to meet that growth with dedicated professional leadership for the first time in the organization's history. Welcome, Christopher and thank you Michelle Thompson and Eric Schertzing for the many years of contributions.

Read the full press release below:

Christopher Germain Named to Lead Growing Statewide Organization

09/21/2026

Progress underway in Marquette Township!

09/17/2026

An important step toward the development of recently acquired land purchase from Cleveland Cliffs Co. near 700 W Empire St in Ishpeming near Lakeshore Blvd, will allow the potential development of the City of Ishpeming parcel. The Ishpeming City Council selected Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. as the developer and authorized its City Manager, Randy Scholz to enter into negotiations for an upcoming LIHTC MSHDA application.

If this redevelopment housing project moves forward, construction would start as early as 2027 or after. The Land Bank fully supports the redevelopment exploration of this site and thanks to efforts by the City Manager, staff, and assistance from the Housing Specialist a lot of work and planning has taken place to give this site an opportunity to be developed into much needed housing. This is a great opportunity for housing and helps meets the housing goals set in the Target Market Analysis.

Wednesday night, the Ishpeming City Council unanimously agreed to begin negotiations with a Midwest-based developer, Woda Cooper. Link in the comments🔗⬇

09/17/2026

Nominees for this year’s HBA of Michigan - Leadership in Advocacy will be coming out soon. Meanwhile, we share last year’s winners below. We’re grateful for a team approach in the Upper Peninsula when it comes to housing redevelopment and construction. Thanks Sarah Foster for all the great work you do! 🏡 🏘️

Last year's Leadership in Housing Advocacy Awards recognized nine individuals and organizations whose leadership, collaboration and dedication are making a difference in communities across Michigan.

From expanding housing opportunities to strengthening our skilled trades workforce, the 2025 honorees demonstrated just how much can be accomplished when people take action.

On November 6, we'll do it all again. 🏆

Join us in Lansing as we celebrate the 2026 Leadership in Housing Advocacy Award recipients and the work shaping Michigan's housing future. Registration is free and lunch is included: https://members.hbaofmichigan.com/ap/Events/Register/wZFkjweSeCxCw

09/01/2026

We are excited to announce that Public Policy Associates was selected to develop our new 5-Yr Strategic Plan. The report will include a comprehensive analysis of the MCLBA Annual Report, operating budgets, and strategic documents to establish future best practices. The multi-phase report will focus on interviews with key stakeholders and current Board of Directors. A customized survey will prove critical to garner feedback and start implementation once the report and analysis concludes.

The future of our Land Bank is vital to continue to provide key services to both the public and partners /developers. A multi-year action plan will be shared upon completion. Thank you to everyone who directly supports our mission and we look forward to growing our team and operations while staying true to the mission.

The Marquette County Land Bank Authority was formed in May 2009.

"The mission of the Marquette County Land Bank Authority is to work collaboratively with local governmental units and community organizations in determining the best way to return tax-foreclosed and undervalued properties to the tax roll, while eliminating blight, providing attainable housing and economic development opportunities and revitalizing communities."

08/26/2026

Before and after photos at 108 Albatross… a few thoughts on blight elimination. Back in July of 2024, just over two years ago the Land Bank decided to take on a very challenging site. An unfortunate and tragic house fire led to the death of a local firefighter and the remains of the home were left burnt down and caved in, with no option but to demolish it. Our hearts are with the family of the young man who passed.

With the assistance of a state blight elimination grant, the structure was abated, demolished, and cleared. At that time, we decided to REBUILD and keep the foundation with the help of a local Architect who gave the go ahead to build on the existing foundation. The Land Bank applied for a MI-Neighborhood grant from MSHDA in order to help keep the price of the new home as low as possible, and add a new home to the community of K.I. Sawyer, and more importantly give a new family or person a chance to buy a home.

We hope that by setting the example and working hard to achieve what you see today there are more opportunities to improve our communities all around the county.

08/25/2026

The brand new build at 108 Albatross, K.I. Sawyer is complete. We’ll have a new owner living here in the near future. Take a look! 👀

Fogaroli Construction Solutions
Home Builders Association of The Upper Peninsula
Michigan State Housing Development Authority
Michigan Land Bank Association
State Land Bank Authority

08/25/2026

Thank you Tom Vear and Jen Ray for hosting the Marquette County emerging developers meet up at the space above the Evergreen Market. We appreciate your stories and experience shared with local developers in the area. One of our strategies in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Housing Now is to continue to bring more resources to the area and assist with redevelopment opportunities in local communities.

One of the takeaways discussed tonight with folks like Tom is to focus on project support and access to capital by establishing a housing impact fund for redevelopment projects. Through innovation and collaboration, Marquette County is becoming a model for getting developers and partners like the Lake Superior Community Partnership together to work towards a common goal. 🏘



The Delft Bistro
Donckers