Learn how to start a small real estate project at events scheduled for Sept. 19 and Sept. 26

MARSHALL, Mich. – The Calhoun County Land Bank Authority is partnering with the cities of Battle Creek, Albion and Marshall to host a Small Real Estate Developer Training & Capacity Building program, beginning Wednesday, Sept. 19, in Marshall, and Wednesday, Sept. 26, in Battle Creek. The Incremental Development Alliance is facilitating the trainings in partnership with the Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority.

“We’re excited to bring this important program to our communities later this month, which will fill a gap in our community to help educate both existing and new small-scale developers interested in investing in and managing projects,” said Krista Trout-Edwards, Executive Director of the Calhoun County Land Bank Authority. “This program will help connect residents, business owners, tradespeople, lending institutions and nonprofits who share a common vision of bettering our communities.”

The opening lectures kick off a year-long training and technical assistance sequence. On Nov. 8, there will be a full-day training Workshop covering real estate fundamentals, which is the prerequisite for an advanced, two-day Boot Camp in February 2019. The Boot Camp is an interactive lab-style course helping attendees take a project through an intensive planning process, followed by mentorship and coaching support throughout 2019. The goal of the training series is to see at least 10 new development projects in the County though a combination of private and Land Bank-owned sites.

“We are eager to bring our hands-on program to Calhoun County and to equip regular people with the knowledge and tools necessary to have an impact in their communities,” said Jim Kumon, executive director of the Incremental Development Alliance. “You do not have to have any previous experience in real estate to start this course. The only requirements are a passion for improving your neighborhood and a commitment to seeing a project through. Doing a project could be someone’s full-time job or an endeavor done on the side of other employment.”

To learn more about the Sept. 19 lecture in Marshall, from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the Public Service Building, 2nd Floor Meeting Room, 900 South Marshall Ave., visit: https://www.MIsmallbuildings.org/events/marshalllecture.

More information about the Sept. 26 lecture in Battle Creek, from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the Battle Creek Police Department Headquarters, Police Community Room 109, 20 North Division St., is available at: https://www.MIsmallbuildings.org/events/battlecreeklecture

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