Six Michigan projects have been awarded funding through the AARP’s largest-ever Community Challenge grant, aimed at making communities more livable, especially for those 50 and older.

More than $4 million in quick-action grants are supporting close to 400 projects nationwide, including $73,000 for initiatives across Michigan. Ramon Harris, who helps lead community outreach at AARP Michigan, says the grants are designed to spark immediate, tangible change in communities.

“These are small grants with big impact, supporting projects that improve public spaces or it could be housing, transportation, digital access,” Harris said. “Since 2017, the program has funded over a thousand projects nationwide.”

In Michigan, better walkability investments include safer crosswalks in Dearborn, more benches in Holland, and upgrades in Marlette. The funding is also helping to expand digital access in Detroit and support home safety checks in Macomb County.

In Michigan, one in three residents is age 50 or older. That’s just over three million people.