Real estate academy aims to tackle blight and boost Jackson property values
Real estate academy aims to tackle blight and boost Jackson property values
Updated: 2:06 PM CDT Mar 31, 2025
Thank you, Mayor. Um, as the mayor said, this is exciting. Uh, this is *** project that is *** great demonstration of the philanthropic support that the administration has been able to garner, um, to close in some of the gaps, some of the programmatic gaps that we have here at the city of Jackson. Um, about 2 or 3 years ago, um, we were brought into the Lincoln Institute and we were trying to. Find out or figure out *** think through solutions um to improve uh the South and West Jackson corridors that’s uh areas of town that the administration always make sure that we understand that it’s important and that we should look out and think about how we can improve these uh parts of town and the biggest challenge, the biggest challenge that we have in those areas is housing. Um, the lack thereof, but also, of course we have *** blight, uh, issue, um, in these areas of town. So when we were brainstorming and thinking through with the Lincoln Institute, um, you found at the core of it, uh, the reality is we have ***, *** lack of housing inventory because we have *** lack of developers and we have *** lack of people in the community who understand the development process. How do you identify properties, how do you uh do run your financial analysis in these properties? How do you go. To *** bank and get *** loan. How do you apply for tax credits? How do you go through construction? How do you deliver the product and then lease up and offload via exit or, um, you know, selling or refinancing. So, um, you know, went, went on *** war path for lack of better words, to try to find an organization that had the skills or had the ability to uh deliver such *** program and was able to come across, uh, *** colleague of mine uh via the International Economic Development Council, um Courtney Pogue, who was affiliated with. Grow America and this is the very work that Grow America does. They had *** real estate developer training camp already established and it, it is also um *** funding uh institution. So along with us being able to educate developers on how to rebuild their communities, we’ll also be able to tie them into finance um resources to be able to fund those projects as well. Um, another thing that’s important to note is we are attempting to tie this into the Bun Air development. Um, we realized when I first took office *** couple of years ago that um back in 2012, 2013 there were some issues with the project that, uh, that we had through CDBG um for West Jackson, and it is important to this administration for us to clean that project up and move forward. So we like the fact that we have access to property that once these uh fellows finish this training camp, they will have the option. It’s not *** guarantee, but it will be an option for them to. Uh, partner with the city of Jackson to finish this bond *** development. So this is an exciting project. Um, it’s an 18 month training course with one, week of mandatory in-person training. The applications will open today and close April 15th. There is *** $200 participation fee if you will, that will cover program materials. Um, but we encourage everyone that’s interested to apply and we look forward to having *** great, great program. So thank you all.
Real estate academy aims to tackle blight and boost Jackson property values
Updated: 2:06 PM CDT Mar 31, 2025
A new initiative in Jackson aims to address housing challenges and urban blight.“This new program will help rid the city of blight, support entrepreneurs and boost property values all across the city,” Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said.Director of Planning and Development Jhai Keeton said the biggest challenge in the south and west Jackson corridors is housing. Two years ago, the department met with representatives from the Lincoln Institute to identify solutions to improve those areas of the city.Keeton said the problem stems from a lack of housing options due to a shortage of developers. The city has partnered with Grow America to offer a Real Estate Developer Training Camp. The program is designed to expand economic opportunities for emerging developers by providing essential training, resources, and mentorship. Academy graduates will be equipped to take on projects that address housing, commercial development, and community revitalization across Jackson.The 18-month training course will include one week of mandatory in-person training. The applications open March 31 and will close April 15. Keeton said there is a $200 participation fee, which will cover program materials. Tap here to apply.
A new initiative in Jackson aims to address housing challenges and urban blight.
“This new program will help rid the city of blight, support entrepreneurs and boost property values all across the city,” Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said.
Director of Planning and Development Jhai Keeton said the biggest challenge in the south and west Jackson corridors is housing. Two years ago, the department met with representatives from the Lincoln Institute to identify solutions to improve those areas of the city.
Keeton said the problem stems from a lack of housing options due to a shortage of developers. The city has partnered with Grow America to offer a Real Estate Developer Training Camp.
The program is designed to expand economic opportunities for emerging developers by providing essential training, resources, and mentorship. Academy graduates will be equipped to take on projects that address housing, commercial development, and community revitalization across Jackson.
The 18-month training course will include one week of mandatory in-person training. The applications open March 31 and will close April 15. Keeton said there is a $200 participation fee, which will cover program materials. Tap here to apply.
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