On May 7, 2019, Council reviewed an application for the Building Improvement Grant (BIG) Program that was submitted by local non-profit partner, Community Link. This foodbank, which services the wider area and is located in Saginaw, requested assistance funding for a variety of projects; including the demolition of a residential structure located next door to their food pantry facility, the expansion of their facility to the neighboring site, and replacement of a broken volunteer door.

Although Community Link is an exceptional circumstance, as a tax-exempt entity in the City with a request over and above the BIG Policy cap of $5,000, Council approved moving forward with a matching grant of funds for Community Link in an amount not to exceed $7,500 in reimbursable dollars for improvements as listed in their original application. In keeping with the terms of the policy, not more than $5,000 of the total award may be used on a single category of enhancement; therefore, Community Link intends to request a reimbursement of $5,000 at the completion of the house demolition and another $2,500 request upon replacement of the volunteer door.