Christina Carter-Grant, Antonio Adan and Brian Larkin are pictured at the 2025 NLBN Summit Awards Reception. (Photo courtesy of the Center for Community Progress)

MARQUETTE — Antonio Adan was the recipient of the 2025 Emerging Leader Award from the Center for Community Progress last month.

Adan, who serves as the Executive Director of the Marquette County Land Bank Authority, was awarded at the 2025 National Land Bank Network Summit in Detroit, as part of the CCP’s biennial National Land Bank Network awards on Sept. 8-9. The Emerging Leader award is presented to land bank leaders who are early in their careers and have demonstrated a commitment to accelerate meaningful change in their communities.

“He brings fresh energy, innovative ideas and is committed to community development within and outside of the land banking space,” said Christina Carter-Grant, Associate Director of the National Land Bank Network, about Adan in a Sept. 17 press release.

The Marquette County Land Bank Authority received $1.5 million in blight elimination funding in 2024, secured $3.1 million for housing redevelopment in the 2024-25 year and had 24 units under construction with 134 additional units planned for the future. After a 2024 countywide Target Market Analysis showed a high demand for housing, a partnership between the MCLBA, Lake Superior Community Partnership, InvestUP, the Community Foundation of Marquette County and a $50,000 Rural Readiness grant from the Office of Rural Prosperity created the first housing specialist in the Upper Peninsula. Adan was appointed to the position back in November 2023. He was also recently named as a finalist for the Emerging Advocate award with the Home Builders’ Association of Michigan, where the winner will be announced in November.

“I’m incredibly honored to be recognized amongst so many talented and passionate advocates who are working to move Michigan’s housing conversation forward. This September, I was humbled to receive the Emerging Leader of the Year Award at the National Land Bank Network and Center for Community Progress conference in Detroit. Recently, I was named a Finalist by the Home Builders Association of MI in the Emerging Advocate category that will be announced Nov. 7 in Lansing, and this feels like another reminder of how powerful collaboration can be,” said Adan in a message to The Mining Journal. “None of this work happens in isolation – it’s driven by the partnerships, get ‘er done attitude, and shared determination of people who believe everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home. I’m excited for the challenges and opportunities ahead, and I’m grateful to be part of a statewide and local emerging developer network that’s so deeply committed to making a real difference in people’s lives.”

More information about the Marquette County Land Bank Authority can be found online at co.marquette.mi.us/departments/county_treasurer/land_bank_authority.php.

Abby LaForest can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 548. Her email address is alaforest@miningjournal.net.