The historically renovated Knapp’s Centre opened in 2014 and is a prominent historic Art Deco landmark contributing to the economic development of Lansing’s central business district. This rehabilitation has spurred additional public and private investments of office, retail, and high-end residential space in the Lansing market. At minimum, 20% of the Knapp’s Centre housing is rented to households with 80% AMI or less.

The rehabilitation of the Knapp’s Centre generated 125 construction

and 156 high-quality permanent jobs where 94% pay a living wage or more and the majority offer benefits packages.

The Lansing Economic Development Corporation operates the Runway in the Knapp’s Centre, a business incubator for the fashion industry where rising designers can study, create and display their work. In conjunction with Lansing Community College, educational courses are taught by college faculty.

and entrepreneurship. The Chamber, SEDP, and Kettering University made contributions to hire a part-time small business development counselor dedicated to supporting 70 people and helping start-up businesses secure over $700,000 in capital. The Chamber also hosts numerous networking and professional development to support young professional and members of the business community. Additional events at the community space include a winter farmer’s market, nutrition classes, dance classes, and a micro-business development class for teenage entrepreneurs.

The development of the Webster Community Center will collocate a dozen service and development providers and increase access to quality food, primary medical care, and job training for nearly 12,000 people each year, with an estimated 160,000 unique annual visits.

The HeadStart program will provide 360 low-income children with quality pre-k care, and the various afterschool programs will support more than 1,000 children each year. The business incubator estimates 32 program participants annually, over half of which will be Minority Business Enterprises (MBE). Once operational, the FQHC is estimated to support nearly 7,000 low-income people and families each year.