FLINT, Michigan—A $220,000 grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation to the City of Flint will fund increased neighborhood cleanup efforts as part of Mayor Sheldon Neeley’s ongoing efforts to Fight Blight.
Through this grant, the City of Flint will be able to remove large refuse from heavy dump areas, remove trash from vacant lots, work with community groups to coordinate neighborhood cleanups, preserve areas where cleanups occur with ongoing maintenance and purchase equipment for cleanups.
“We have hauled more than 1 million pounds of blight out of Flint neighborhoods so far and we are just getting started. This generous donation from the Mott Foundation will allow us to make even more of an impact. Through our work to Fight Blight, we are getting a little bit closer every day to cleaning up our neighborhoods and restoring community pride,” Mayor Neeley said.
Mayor Neeley has been leading an effort to increase the city’s efforts to Fight Blight since January. It was the first major initiative announced by Mayor Neeley after he took office in November 2019 and the city is far surpassing last year’s cleanup efforts.
Flint City Council voted to accept the grant Monday.
“The Mott Foundation held 30 community conversations last year, and residents repeatedly expressed their frustration over illegal dumping and blight,” said Ridgway White, Mott president and CEO. “They told us strengthening neighborhoods was their top priority. That’s why we’re pleased to support the city’s efforts to fight blight.”
As of Aug. 1, there have been 131 cleanups under the Neeley administration. Cleanups are up 38 percent year over year, even with some slowdowns because of COVID-19. In all, the blight department has hauled away more than 1 million pounds of blight in 2020.
The grant from the Mott Foundation allows the City of Flint to work alongside community partners to take a proactive stance against neighborhood blight, combat illegal dumping and restore community pride.
Residents can help Fight Blight by reporting neighborhood eyesores to the City of Flint Blight Elimination and Neighborhood Improvement Office by calling (810) 237-2090, emailing [email protected], or going online to www.CityofFlint.com/FightBlight. The office also can provide additional support for neighborhood cleanups, including providing a Dumpster and other cleanup equipment.
The Mott Foundation grant also helps support the City of Flint’s new partnership with Crime Stoppers, which is offering rewards of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest of anyone dumping illegally in the City of Flint. Only tips made to Crime Stoppers are eligible for the reward. To report illegal dumping to Crime Stoppers:
“Flint will no longer be anyone’s dumping ground,” Mayor Neeley said. “Together, we can Fight Blight.”
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