Knepper Development Strategies

Our latest grant application was awarded, focused on reducing isolation amongst older adults here in Sault Ste. Marie.

https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/soo-theatre-receives-grant-to-combat-senior-isolation?fbclid=IwdGRzaAOd2-RjbGNrA53bzmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHknkvGkoKOciOvC4cswuxjtY0BIfwoi0kzbuuqyOUoYDYrBdONyNCmJcBCa2_aem_4VAzBfKublt_g7oXWSxl_g

Soo Theatre receives grant to combat senior isolation CHIPPEWA COUNTY, Mich,. (WPBN/WGTU) - - The Soo Theatre in Sault Ste. Marie has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundat

Knepper Development Strategies worked with the Soo Theatre to secure over $27,000 to grow our local symphony orchestra program!

https://www.michigan.gov/leo/news/2025/02/07/leo-awards-millions-in-economic-support-to-41-symphony-orchestras

The Chippewa County Community Foundation is hiring a new Executive Director - check out the description here:

www.chippewacountycommunityfoundation.org

This year has been a year of continued work on many of our previous year projects. This doesn't look like an exciting picture, but it signifies another big step forward for the corridor enhancement project in Paradise, Michigan. MDOT's Newberry office hosted a plan review meeting this week, and has the Paradise project slated for bid letting in summer 2025!

Knepper Development Strategies assisted in securing a $1,00,000+ grant two years ago for lighting, a sidewalk, and a shared use path that will be constructed in 2026. Paradise is going to have a beautiful commercial corridor once the project is complete!

We recently completed closeout on a modest $7,500 grant from Michigan Arts and Culture Council for operational support to Sault Historic Sites. This funding was used to support programming at the Museum Ship Valley Camp and the Tower of History. Both of these cultural assets are so important to our community!

A small grant award made this month! Congratulations to the Paradise Area Tourism Council on a $4,034 Destination Marketing Organization Grant via the Michigan Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus.

Paradise, Michigan – Experience Michigan's Paradise Welcome to Michigan's Paradise FOUR SEASONS OF FUN Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall, Paradise has Something for All! Brought to you by the Paradise Area Tourism Council Reconnect with Nature and Experience Michigan's Paradise! Located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Paradise has Lake Superior to....

501(c)3s, schools and local government units in the Sault Ste. Marie area/eastern UP: consider applying for up to $5,000 through the Wal-Mart sparkgood program: they're looking for applicants!

Spark Good Designed for and by nonprofits, Walmart Spark Good assembles all our community giving programs under one brand and improves access to tools and resources like local grants, round up, registry and the space request tool. Spark Good also puts customers and associates in the driver seat making it easie...

Congratulations to Jeta Corporation on their new home in Sault Ste. Marie! Knepper Development Strategies was pleased to assist Linda and Tom in the early stages of the process, working with them on site selection and contractor selection/construction management.

New JETA building at Sault airport a homecoming for company CEO A member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Linda Grow has always wanted to create something special in Sault Ste. Marie

Got our butts kicked today - applied for an MDARD grant to help a local company - 91 applicants and only 24 winners selected, and my applicant wasn't one of them. Congratulations to the winners, however!

MDARD Awards Rural Grants to Support Infrastructure Sustainability of Land-Based Industries Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development: MDARD Awards Rural Grants to Support Infrastructure, Sustainability of Land-Based Industries

Long Read - My thoughts on the House of Bargains demolition, and demolition of historic buildings in general:

I wanted to discuss the recent demolition of the House of Bargains building, following the demolition of the old Bomb Shelter building on East Portage Avenue, which took place earlier this year.
First and foremost, Downtown Sault Ste. Marie’s greatest asset lies in its historical legacy, embodied by the historic buildings that have stood along Ashmun and Portage since the late 1800s. These structures serve as reminders of our collective past, each façade and rubblestone wall telling a story of the generations that have come before us. Recent events, however, have cast a shadow over our efforts to preserve this heritage.

The decision by Cloverland Electric Cooperative to acquire (years ago) and subsequently demolish the House of Bargains building is a giant bummer, to say the least. It’s even more frustrating since there were multiple parties interested in purchasing the building and rehabilitating it over the years. However, Cloverland had valid concerns about its proximity to the canal wall, and they have long-term maintenance strategies that required its removal.

The demolition of the House of Bargains comes hot on the heels of the demolition of the old Bomb Shelter on East Portage Avenue. This building was also removed by private purchasers, even though it had “good bones,” if you will.

It is vital to recognize that historic buildings like the House of Bargains and the old Bomb Shelter are not beyond redemption. With vision, investment, and community support, these structures can be transformed into vibrant spaces that contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of our downtown area. The loss of these buildings diminish the physical landscape but also sever the ties that bind us to our shared past.

We must halt this wave of demolition before it washes away more pieces of our heritage. Instead of succumbing to short-term convenience, we need more property owners to join the effort, invest, and celebrate our historic buildings. There are tremendous bright spots – the following buildings are undergoing rehabilitation in 2024: The Soo Theatre; 722 Ashmun (across from Dominoes); and 536-540 Ashmun (the former Co-ed Flowers). Millions of dollars are being invested in these properties, and more is on the horizon.

With all this information in mind, the City of Sault Ste. Marie and the Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Development Authority should do everything possible to encourage and incentivize the rehabilitation of our Downtown.

Sincerely,

Justin Knepper, Downtown property owner and owner of Knepper Development Strategies

We've been working with the Chippewa County Historical Society on renovation plans for a number of years now, but this spring has brought some exciting developments! The CCHS Board of Directors has commenced with selective demolition of the first floor, and some preparations for future renovations of the second floor! They are working toward the goal of rehabilitation of their historic building interior.

Sailor Creek Contracting is doing great work on the project. We love seeing what is being revealed under the drywall on the first floor!