Grant County Development Corporation Offers Home Remedy

The Grant County Development Corporation purchased a home in Milbank that had fallen into foreclosure and was in need of repairs. The Corporation did this in hopes of creating more housing options. The plan is to upgrade its condition and resell the property.

“We purchased the house through South Dakota Housing with the purpose of advancing workforce housing in Milbank,” stated GCDC Executive Director Bobbie Bohlen. “We purchased a house that was in need of tender loving care with the goal of getting it back on the market.”

Improving the neighborhood was also a motivation. “If it would have stayed with SDH, it would have continued to deteriorate, which doesn’t help the neighborhood. When you look at this area, it is definitely growing with nice homes around. For this one to go downhill, wasn’t good for anyone. This is a good project for us to undertake and a concept that is pretty unheard of for a development corporation.”

The GCDC purchased the house in August and began work in October. Bohlen stated, “Our goal is to get it remodeled, back on the market, and ideally sold before the end of the year.

Located on North First Street, the home is on a large lot with a two-stall detached garage and a backyard. “This home is perfect for a family with children,” Bohlen said. “With the large backyard, deck on the back, and three bedrooms and two baths, it will be great for a family.”

The home is being gutted and remodeled by local contractors. According to Bohlen, a bathroom and laundry room were added near the front entryway. The main level family room, dining room, and kitchen are receiving all new electrical, plumbing, sheetrock, and light fixtures. The windows have also been replaced. “The contractors were able to save some of the old woodwork,” Bohlen added, ” The kitchen has been completely demolished and will feature new cabinets, countertops, lighting, flooring, and appliances.

“The downstairs is in good shape with a solid foundation and no water problems,” Bohlen said. “There’s a lot of room for storage.”

Bohlen stated no profit will be made by the GCDC on the sale of the home. “All bids have been submitted to South Dakota Housing. A lot of work has been done to get all the numbers right and there is no wiggle room with the project. We simply are helping with the housing needs in the community and hope that others will give it a go too. There is potential within the community for others to do this, as well. We are short of housing, especially with this style and size of housing, for working families. We are doing one house and certainly not moving mountains, but hopefully we are moving the bar just a little bit in the right direction.”

Click here to view photos of the house!