comparatively affordable. “I would still say in Delta County, you can probably find housing still a bit more affordable than you can in other places in the country, but we are actively seeking a growth in housing supply,” notes McNeil. However, with hundreds of new jobs projected, expanding inventory, particularly workforce housing, has become a priority.“I believe very firmly, especially with the job growth interest that we’re seeing here, that we’re going to have a demand for several hundred units beyond what we’re hoping can get built in the next several years,” McNeil emphasizes. “If these economic development projects are going to happen, certainly workforce [housing] is going to be a big part of that.” By fast-tracking projects and incentivizing development, Escanaba aims to ensure its housing supply keeps pace with its economic ambitions. THE ROAD AHEAD For McNeil, Escanaba’s transformation reflects both hometown pride and disciplined execution.“Working for the public for me, it being my hometown too, is certainly very rewarding,” he shares. 191 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09 ESCANABA CITY, MI
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