By Journal Staff

MARQUETTE — Marquette County officials have named a housing specialist, Antonio Adan, who is responsible for the development of housing initiatives for the county and the surrounding region.

This position is made possible by the Marquette County Land Bank Authority, InvestUP and the Lake Superior Community Partnership with funds from the Michigan Office of Rural Development, the Community Foundation of Marquette County, the MCLBA, InvestUP and the LSCP.

Adan has served as a project manager for the County since June, demonstrating his construction management skills and experience coordinating interdepartmental efforts. Prior to joining Marquette County, Adan has held various similar positions.

Anne Giroux, executive director of MCLBA, said “Antonio’s unique blend of project management, real estate and community engagement experience makes him the ideal candidate for this role. His deep understanding of the local housing landscape and his proven track record in collaborative community initiatives align perfectly with our objectives to expand housing opportunities in Marquette County.”

Aside from his professional qualifications, Adan has been involved in community development through volunteering. He’s served on the boards of Marquette Downtown Development Authority and Connect Marquette as well as the City of Marquette’s Ad-Hoc Housing Committee.

“Antonio’s appointment is a testament to our commitment to enhancing housing development in the region. His expertise and local insights will be invaluable in driving our housing initiatives forward,” said Christopher Germain, CEO of LSCP.

As housing specialist, Adan will engage in quarterly meetings with the Marquette County Local Government Task Force, an effort crucial for aligning county housing strategies with broader local and regional plans. He will also oversee the implementation of the target market analysis, crucial for understanding housing market trends and needs.

Further responsibilities include creating development plans for multiunit housing projects and focus developing housing initiatives on sites earmarked for blight elimination funding.

Construction of an online resource library will also fall under Adan’s tasks. This will be a comprehensive source of tools and funding sources for land banks and local governments. It will also include a locally focused pattern book of housing units and blueprints, serving as a valuable guide for development projects.

Extending his expertise beyond Marquette County, Adan will assist other municipalities with their housing projects, thereby broadening the impact of his work. Another critical aspect of his role involves linking communities with the InvestUP Housing fund, a significant resource aimed at fostering regional housing development.

“I am excited and honored to take on this role,” Adan said. “Marquette County is a community I deeply care about, and I look forward to leveraging my experience and network(ing) to make a meaningful impact in the housing sector.”