Applications are now open for Make Your Home in Northwest Michigan, a new talent retention and attraction program of Traverse Connect, in partnership with the Alliance for Economic Success, Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce, Networks Northwest, Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, and Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The program will award $5,000 in cash housing assistance to ten individuals relocating to or securing new housing in Northwest Michigan, who have either secured a local job offer or are already employed by local employers. In addition to the cash award, recipients will receive $1,500 in in-kind benefits, including:

· Wraparound relocation assistance and one-on-one sessions with regional ambassadors

· Admission to local networking events, coworking membership, passes to arts and cultural experiences, and tickets to music and theatrical performances

Eligible applicants must be seeking housing in northwest Michigan with a new lease or mortgage starting no earlier than April 1, 2025, and be employed by a company located or headquartered in Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, or Wexford counties. Individuals selected to receive program awards must remain in Michigan for at least 12 months.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until May 26, 2026, or until all ten awards have been granted.

The Make Your Home in Northwest Michigan program is funded through the Make MI Home program, a statewide talent attraction and retention initiative supported by the Michigan Growth Office. The purpose of this program is to attract and retain professionals by offering direct housing assistance and wraparound relocation support, addressing housing affordability and talent retention challenges, and strengthening the region’s economic and community vitality.