Mel Trotter Ministries (MTM) and its subsidiary, Next Step of West Michigan, were able to develop two new facilities and renovate their existing site in downtown Grand Rapids, with support of a New Markets Tax Credit allocation from Michigan Community Capital (MCC). The newly developed sites and improvements to the existing facility supports MTM extending assistance to people living in poverty achieve economic stability through access to employment and complementary resources. A new 15,000-square-foot manufacturing facility was constructed at 130 Garden Street SE in Grand Rapids that is utilized for construction and workforce development training. A section of the building is leased to Jireh Metal Products, a minority-owned tier one supplier to furniture, automotive and hardware industries. It includes a job training program that operates in conjunction with Next Step’s workforce development program. A new two-story, 20,000-square-foot building, located at 101 Garden Street SE, was renovated into a mixed-use facility with 10 transitional workforce housing units on the upper floor, and space on the first floor for Next Step of West Michigan’s skilled job training program, construction employment offices and community space. Mel Trotter renovated their 47,000-square-foot facility located at 225 Commerce Avenue SW. The renovation and expansion of the mission includes 116 units of transitional housing units, 400 emergency shelter beds with guest common areas, and dedicated space for supportive services to guests including a variety of healthcare services and social services.
