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<br />GMHF's Growth Corridor Initiative
<br />
<br />Introduction
<br />
<br />With over $62 million in capital funds awarded
<br />to date, Greater Minnesota Housing Fund
<br />(GMHF) has been supporting the creation
<br />of affordable housing in the 80 counties outside the
<br />Twin Cities metro area since 1996. Launched as ajoint
<br />effort of The McKnight Foundation and Blandin
<br />Foundation, GMHF is an intermediary through which
<br />foundations, corporations and local employers
<br />contribute to affordable housing through gap loans,
<br />technical assistance, public education and research,
<br />advocacy and special initiatives.
<br />
<br />Catalyst for Progress and Innovation: GMHF
<br />serves as a catalyst for progress and innovation,
<br />specializing in creating strategically important
<br />programs that promote livable neighborhoods through
<br />wise use ofland, mixed-income housing, cost reduction
<br />techniques, traditional neighborhood design and
<br />employer involvement.
<br />
<br />A Broad and Ambitious New Initiative: Building
<br />on the success and lessons of GMHF's Building Better
<br />Neighborhoods (BBN) starter home program, GMHF
<br />is laun~hing the Growth Corridor Initiative, a new,
<br />broad and ambitious initiative designed to meet the
<br />needs of high-growth cities along the growth corridors
<br />of greater Minnesota.
<br />
<br />While high population growth and rapid
<br />development offer tremendous economic opportunities,
<br />acute challenges remain for preserving the quality of
<br />life for both long-time residents and newcomers.
<br />Ensuring that the rich natural resources, small-town
<br />charm, local employment and affordable housing
<br />opportunities do not fall victim to metropolitan sprawl
<br />is critical to the long-term vitality of these high growth
<br />communities.
<br />
<br />Beyond a Single, Residential Subdivision:
<br />GMHF's new Growth Corridor Initiative will provide
<br />funding support for area-wide integrated planning
<br />efforts, capacity-building for planning and
<br />implementation staff, and capital funding to foster large
<br />scale model projects in greater Minnesota's growth
<br />corridors.
<br />
<br />Although GMHF's primary focus will continue to
<br />be the creation of affordable housing, the Growth
<br />Corridor Initiative is intended to go beyond a single
<br />residential subdivision. Broad and flexible support will
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<br />assist communities to comprehensively plan for the
<br />range of other opportunities and challenges before them,
<br />including natural resource conservation, recreation,
<br />transportation, economic development, zoning and
<br />public financing.
<br />
<br />In its pilot year (2005-2006), Growth Corridor
<br />Initiative funding will be available to municipalities in
<br />Chisago, Isanti, Sherburne and Wright Counties.
<br />
<br />Program Overview and Principles
<br />
<br />GMHF is launching the Growth Corridor Initiative
<br />at a critical moment in time for high-growth
<br />communities on the edge of the seven county
<br />metropolitan area. While development pressures have
<br />been steadily increasing, communities have not yet lost
<br />the opportunity to conduct careful, community-driven
<br />decision making that will focus on results and the
<br />implementation of projects that will set the stage for
<br />future growth.
<br />
<br />Through partnerships with interested communities,
<br />and by serving as the catalyst for other philanthropic
<br />and local investment, GMHF's Growth Corridor
<br />Initiative program is committed to supporting:
<br />
<br />II Planning: Support effective, area-wide planning that
<br />addresses needs in growing communities for affordable
<br />housing, economic development, transportation
<br />infrastructure, community facilities, open space and
<br />recreation, and the conservation and enlargement of
<br />natural systems.
<br />
<br />II Land Use: Promote efficient land use patterns that
<br />support the growth of economically, environmentally,
<br />and socially healthy cities.
<br />
<br />II Housing: Encourage development of a variety of
<br />housing types, styles and price points that meet the
<br />affordability and life-cycle housing needs of growing
<br />communities and reduce distances which workers must
<br />travel to reach employment.
<br />
<br />II Community Participation & Local Control:
<br />Increase meaningful citizen participation throughout the
<br />community planning process to facilitate greater public
<br />education and awareness of local development issues.
<br />
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