Huntington Homefront- Mackinac Policy Conference Edition tab

Dear Michigan Leaders:

For generations, Michigan has been defined by people who work hard, lift each other up and believe in a better future. These values have always been strengthened by voices that tell the full story of our communities. For nearly a century, the Michigan Chronicle has uplifted these experiences as a trusted source of news and information. In partnership and with an unwavering commitment to storytelling, I want to thank Hiram Jackson, CEO, Real Times Media, and the Michigan Chronicle team for this expanded publication and the launch of Huntington Homefront. This collaboration is marked by a decade of shared investment in Detroit’s future through our S.W.A.G. Scholarship Awards, an initiative that expands scholarship access to high school students who demonstrate perseverance and promise.

I also want to acknowledge Bob Riney, CEO of Henry Ford Health and chair of this year’s Mackinac Policy Conference, Sandy Baruah, CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber, and so many others who make this convening possible. This year’s theme, A Quest for Common Ground, reminds us that more unites us than separates us. Only by working together can we shape the kind of future that Michigan residents deserve. As we discuss important topics, including economic growth, affordability, healthcare, jobs, education, safety and the overall vitality of our region, let us always remember that we do so on behalf of Michigan families and businesses. Over the next few days, we will engage in conversations around the priorities we share across party, county and sector lines. These discussions reflect the collective responsibility we have as leaders to confront Michigan’s most pressing challenges and advance the public, private and bipartisan partnerships that drive real progress.

As this conference brings us together on common ground, Huntington Homefront extends that dialogue by sharing lessons learned, celebrating partnership and inspiring continued collaboration that benefits communities well beyond Mackinac and throughout the year. By highlighting real examples of local investment and collaboration, this platform helps connect ideas discussed at the Mackinac Policy Conference to action happening on the ground. Throughout this publication, you’ll read about investments in education as economic infrastructure, along with stories of economic empowerment fueled by small business lending, homeownership and financial well-being initiatives.

Huntington is deeply rooted in Michigan and proud to be a longstanding partner in the state’s continued growth and prosperity. Under the leadership of our CEO, Steve Steinour, and our Michigan regional presidents, Mike Land and Lauren Davis, we are guided by a peoplefirst approach to banking and a commitment to leading locally. With our commercial bank headquarters in downtown Detroit, and nearly 4,000 colleagues and 300 branch locations across the state, our focus remains on expanding opportunities and delivering solutions that meet communities where they are.

As Huntington marks its 160th anniversary, we remain resolute in our purpose: making lives better, helping businesses thrive and strengthening the communities we serve. That same spirit of local leadership and shared responsibility is what makes gatherings like the Mackinac Policy Conference such a powerful space for progress.

Thank you for bringing the energy and dedication needed to help shape decisions that improve lives today and build stronger futures for tomorrow.

Gary Torgow, Chairman of Huntington Bank

Stronger Together:

Public-Private Partnerships Drive Michigan’s Future

When government, business and philanthropy work together, ideas move faster, resources stretch further and outcomes are stronger for families and neighborhoods statewide.

As Detroit’s hometown bank and the primary operating bank of the City of Detroit, Huntington believes supporting public partners and communities across Michigan is essential to building long-term economic growth and stability. Public institutions play a critical role in advancing health, infrastructure and opportunity, and private sector partners, like Huntington, can help amplify that impact through capital, expertise and sustained commitment.

Michigan is leading the nation with a bold, research-driven approach to supporting families during one of the most critical periods of a child’s life, and Detroit is central to that momentum. Rx Kids is the country’s first community-wide prenatal and infant cash-assistance program at scale. The initiative provides expectant parents with $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 per month for the first six months after birth, offering stability during a time that is often financially and emotionally challenging for families.

The program demonstrates what is possible when public leadership and private investment unite around a shared goal. Backed by more than $270 million in state funding, Rx Kids is further strengthened by philanthropic, corporate and foundation partners who help expand the program’s reach and impact into more communities across the state.

Kids: A Public–Private Model That Strengthens Michigan Families A Riverfront Reimagined: How Public-Private InvestmentIs Shaping Grand Rapids’ Future

As Rx Kids continues to grow, including its expansion into Detroit in February, Huntington is honored to serve as a partner to a program that will support the long-term health and strength of the city’s families and futures. This collaboration leverages both public resources and private commitment to ensure families have the financial stability and support necessary for healthy beginnings in the earliest days of their children’s lives.

“Rx Kids reflects the best of Michigan— what’s possible when public and private partners come together to support moms and babies,” said Rx Kids Founder and Director Dr. Mona Hanna. “By combining bipartisan state leadership with philanthropic and community investment, Rx Kids is delivering economic support at a critical time—improving health outcomes, strengthening family stability and fueling local economies across the state.”

One of the largest civic investments in West Michigan history is redefining what is possible along the Grand River. As part of a once-in-a-generation, $1 billion riverfront transformation, Grand Rapids is positioning itself as a national hub for entertainment, sports and tourism while strengthening long-term economic growth and regional competitiveness.

Two anchor projects are central to that vision: the Acrisure Amphitheater and the Amway Soccer Stadium. Together, they represent more than $350 million in combined investment and are expected to drive hotel demand, foot traffic and economic activity across West Michigan. When completed, the projects will draw visitors from across the country, creating jobs, supporting local businesses and generating new energy for downtown neighborhoods.

The financing behind the riverfront development reflects innovative and responsible public-private collaboration. Huntington is supporting this effort as lead underwriter on $128 million in capital improvement bonds, helping advance both projects while working closely with the City of Grand Rapids, developers and civic partners to design a structure that prioritizes fiscal sustainability and longterm community benefit.

“This project shows what is possible when financial expertise is paired with a shared commitment to community impact,” said Greater Michigan Regional President Lauren Davis, Huntington. “Investments like these are about more than buildings. They are about creating spaces that bring people together and support the region’s future for generations to come.”

A competitive state economy is built on a simple truth: education is economic infrastructure. Strong schools and empowered educators are core drivers of workforce readiness, innovation and long-term regional competitiveness.

Huntington has worked to embed education into its core community investment strategy. Across Michigan, Huntington’s programs are designed to strengthen the talent pipeline, support educators as frontline economic builders and expand opportunity for learners who represent the future of the state’s economy.

Bringing Ignite the Classroom to More Michigan Educators

Huntington’s Ignite the Classroom initiative, a year-long professional development experience delivered in partnership with the nationally recognized Ron Clark Academy (RCA), exemplifies investment in workforce development at its earliest stages.

Huntington hosts local events featuring famed educator Ron Clark and provides scholarships for teachers to attend immersive training at RCA, where educators gain tools, insights and proven instructional models that support academic excellence and student engagement. The teachers then bring these strategies back to their classrooms and home school districts.

This initiative has already reached thousands of educators across Huntington’s footprint and impacted dozens of schools. More than 1,000 Detroit-area educators have participated in the program since its launch. Joining Detroit this summer, 250 West Michigan and Great Lakes Bay region educators will experience RCA for the first time.

Since Huntington launched the program, more than 2,300 educators from 40+ school districts have participated in the full experience nationally.

“Ignite the Classroom provides our world-class Midland educators with a great opportunity to sharpen their skills and bring new energy to their classrooms,” said Dr. Ken Weaver, associate superintendent of curriculum, instruction and assessment for Midland Public Schools. “Thank you to Huntington Bank and all the partners involved for investing in our teachers and helping us to foster supportive, engaging learning environments for every student.”

“The program has provided our educators with meaningful, practical strategies that translate directly into classroom practice,” said Dr. Jennifer Martin-Green, superintendent of Southfield Public Schools. “We have seen a noticeable shift in instructional approaches, particularly in student engagement, the intentional use of innovative tools and a stronger emphasis on student-centered learning. Teachers are not only more confident in implementing new strategies, but they are also collaborating more effectively to sustain that growth.”

A Decade of S.W.A.G. Scholarships Supporting Detroit Students

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the S.W.A.G. (Students Wired for Achievement and Greatness) Scholarship—established by Huntington in partnership with the Michigan Chronicle—has invested nearly $2 million in Detroit students since 2015. The S.W.A.G. Scholarship Awards are uniquely designed to support Detroit high school seniors attending the Detroit Public Schools Community District or city-based charter schools who plan to enroll in college or a trade school. More than 200 Detroit high school seniors have received critical financial support, mentorship and long-term career development opportunities through this program.

“The S.W.A.G. Scholarship Awards were created to recognize students whose stories, leadership and determination extend beyond what a transcript alone can show,” said Hiram E. Jackson, publisher of the Michigan Chronicle. “As we mark ten years of this

Investing in the Next Generation of Michigan Talent

Huntington’s partnership with Berkley Schools provides significant financial support for graduating seniors who demonstrate leadership, community involvement and post-secondary aspirations. Huntington provides individual awards ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 to Berkley High School students who show promise as future contributors to Michigan’s economy through college or trade-school pathways.

Additionally, the Huntington Future Leaders in Progress (FLIP) Scholarship, in partnership with the Arab American Foundation, supports students in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights who demonstrate promise, persistence and community engagement.

program, we are proud of the pipeline of leaders it has helped shape. Students who are now professionals, community advocates and role models. If nothing else, this milestone affirms what sustained investment in young people can accomplish for Detroit’s future.”

The focus is on students whose leadership and community commitment signal their potential to contribute meaningfully to Detroit’s future. This scholarship is designed not merely as financial aid but as a leadership -building ecosystem to support long-term workforce development.

“This scholarship has made me feel very thankful, and I really appreciate it and feel seen by this organization,” said Raymond King, a past Detroit student recipient. “I feel great. It feels like my efforts have been validated, and I now have the opportunity to go where I want to go, be who I want to be and do what I want to do. This gives me all of those opportunities, and it feels amazing. I honestly didn’t think I would be a winner, but knowing I’m one of the 15, I’m honored.”

FLIP has steadily expanded since its launch in 2022, recognizing students who maintain a solid academic record, are involved in the community and demonstrate a clear focus on their future. This recognition mirrors the same competencies employers seek in Michigan’s talent pipeline.

“Michigan’s long-term economic strength depends on the investments we make in education and in students today,” said Huntington Bank Chairman Gary Torgow. “Work readiness doesn’t begin at the point of hire; it starts years earlier in classrooms where students build the skills, confidence and curiosity employers rely on. As Michigan leaders, we know that when education is strong, our state’s ability to compete and grow strengthens right alongside it.”

A ffordable Housing

Affordable housing is foundational to strong communities. When organizations come together and housing opportunities are within reach, families gain stability, workers stay connected to opportunity and neighborhoods are positioned to grow and thrive. Housing Solutions through Huntington Community Impact Capital

Across Michigan, housing developments that bring together developers, public partners and private capital are helping families achieve stability and long-term economic mobility.

Through its Community Impact Capital platform, Huntington supports these efforts by providing financing that helps bring a collaborative vision to fruition.

For example, in Metro Detroit, Royal Oak Cottages stands as a recent example of neighborhood reinvestment. Developed with MiSide, Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), Oakland County and other partners, the $15 million development introduced 28 single-family homes in Royal Oak Township.

“At MiSide, we believe everyone has the right to safe, dignified and affordable housing,” said President and CEO Sean de Four, MiSide Community Impact Network. “This development helps address inequities created by decades of redlining and inequality in Metro Detroit. Royal Oak Cottages is located in the southernmost corner of Oakland County, bordering the city of Detroit along Eight Mile Road, a historic township with a majority African American population that has experienced long-term disinvestment and limited access to single-family housing opportunities.”

The Leonard Senior Apartments development helps expand affordable housing options for seniors in Grand Rapids. Huntington provided $8.17 million in construction financing to support the development of this $17.3 million property in partnership with Genesis Nonprofit Housing, Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids Nonprofit Housing Corporation and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Tribe of Michigan. In Alpena, the Bingham School Apartments development demonstrates the power of adaptive reuse and cross-sector cooperation. The development transformed a former historic school building into 35 units of affordable senior housing, preserving a community landmark while addressing critical housing needs. Huntington’s $7.12 million in support combined a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity, historic tax credit equity and construction financing to deliver safe, stable housing that allows seniors to age in place while remaining connected to their community.

Additional developments highlight the strength of cross-sector collaboration, including MoTown Square in Grand Rapids, developed with LINC UP Nonprofit Housing Corporation, Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids, Nonprofit Housing Corporation and MoTown Square Development Corporation to support senior households. In Midland, Huntington partnered with local organizations on Eastlawn Apartments, an affordable and workforce housing development designed to meet growing community needs.

These communities reflect how coordinated development efforts can respond to local housing shortages while strengthening the broader economic fabric of the community.

Supporting First-Time Homebuyers Across Michigan

To unlock home ownership for more Michigan residents, it’s important to focus on first-time buyers who need additional support to qualify for a home loan and to address the demand for down payment assistance and credit readiness tools.

By giving homebuyers clear information, practical tools and real guidance, Huntington helps people understand their options and feel ready to take the next step toward a home they can truly afford. This comes to life through partnerships and events with organizations like Gesher Human Services that help break down the mortgage progress, budgeting and available assistance programs. Additionally, in West Michigan, Huntington works alongside ICCF Community Homes to prepare individuals and families for sustainable homeownership through education, counseling and financial readiness.

“Partnering with Huntington Bank is about more than just moving boxes into houses; it’s about establishing a foundation for generational wealth,” said Laltsha Cunningham, financial education manager, Gesher Human Services. “By combining our community-driven

financial education with Huntington’s commitment to accessible homeownership and sponsorship, we are turning the dream of ‘owning a piece of the neighborhood’ into a reality for Metro Detroit families.”

“Our partnership with Huntington has helped us expand both the scale and impact of our housing work,” said ICCF Community Homes President & CEO Ryan VerWys. “From supporting new housing developments to strengthening pathways to homeownership, this collaboration continues to help us meet the growing needs of families across our community.”

Since 2021, Huntington has supported nearly 22,000 home loans totaling $3.4 billion, expanding and sustaining access to homeownership for under-resourced borrowers and communities across Michigan.

In addition, Home for Good is an example of a program Huntington created to help residents on the path to homeownership. First launched in Detroit in 2023, Home for Good broadens access to mortgage opportunities by considering alternative forms of credit, offering flexible underwriting and reducing upfront costs for eligible buyers.

“ Homeownership and small business ownership share something powerful in common: both create stability that can last for generations,” said Southeast Michigan & Northwest Ohio Regional President Mike Land, Huntington. “When families can build income through a growing business and put down roots through stable housing, they’re creating assets that strengthen households, neighborhoods and Michigan’s economic health for generations.”

Fueling Small Business, Entrepreneurship and Nonprofit Growth

With its commercial headquarters in Detroit and Michigan’s top SBA 7(a) lender by volume since 2008, Huntington supports entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes at every stage of growth across the state. With local leaders in both metro and rural areas empowered to make decisions to support businesses in their communities, the bank continues to play a significant role in expanding capital and growing Michigan small businesses.

Since June 2021, Huntington has supported more than 21,000 small business loans statewide, delivering over $1.6 billion in capital to small businesses with $1 million or less in gross annual revenue or those located in under-resourced communities.

One specific program is Lift Local, which supports small businesses from startup to expansion. The program pairs affordable loans and startup financing with hands-on support, including business planning assistance, no-cost financial education courses delivered through Operation HOPE, and other services.

Additional support includes resources to help business owners build business plans, organize financials and learn about the loan process, so they are confident and prepared when seeking capital and growth opportunities.

Michigan’s small business landscape continues to grow stronger thanks to a network of community-focused partners who work together to expand education, opportunity and

access to capital for local small business owners and entrepreneurs. Seeds for Growth: Building Business Readiness and Opportunity

Across Michigan, small businesses are the heartbeat of local economies. Another program designed to bring partners together and fuel small business growth is Seeds for Growth, a community-based small business series that blends practical financial education, peer learning and real-time access to local business resources. Huntington serves as a long-term partner in the Seeds for Growth ecosystem, working alongside local organizations throughout Michigan to help deliver financial education and connect entrepreneurs to capital pathways when they are ready. Hosted in partnership with trusted organizations throughout communities like Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Saginaw, events are designed around the realities facing small business owners: understanding capital, preparing financials, navigating growth decisions and building confidence as entrepreneurs.

At these gatherings, business owners participate in access to capital conversations, hear directly from fellow entrepreneurs, engage with local support organizations and take part in marketplaces or pitch opportunities that put dollars and visibility back into the community.

Helping Nonprofits Do the Work Our Communities Need

As one of the leading hunger-relief organizations in Southeast Michigan, Gleaners Community Food Bank plays a vital role in strengthening food security across the region. Through a broad network of pantries, community partners and distribution sites, the organization delivers millions of pounds of nutritious food each year, supporting families and individuals when it matters most.

Huntington has been a dedicated financial partner to Gleaners, working alongside the organization to support its mission and uplift the communities it serves.

To help support daily operations and long-term planning, Huntington works closely with Gleaners to provide access to flexible capital and financial solutions tailored to the organization’s evolving needs. During periods of significant growth or investment, that partnership has also enabled Gleaners to navigate complex funding timelines with confidence, keeping major projects moving forward and goals within reach.

“Advancing our mission means ensuring neighbors across our communities have access to nutritious food with dignity,” said Angela Moloney, president and CEO of Gleaners. “Huntington’s support helps make that possible, through financial services that strengthen our operations and hands- on volunteerism and philanthropic investment that deepen our connection to the community. Together, this support allows us to focus on nourishing families today and strengthening neighborhoods for tomorrow.”

In April, Huntington launched a specialty nonprofit banking group, delivered through local bankers. Customized support for nonprofits includes industry-specific tools, dedicated resources and insights, and access to professionals with specialized expertise, advice and guidance.

Together, these capabilities reinforce Huntington’s role as a trusted partner to nonprofits working to strengthen neighborhoods and communities across Michigan.

Empowering Communities Through Financial Literacy

Across Michigan, Huntington focuses on meeting community needs where they exist, investing time, expertise and resources in ways that both strengthen local neighborhoods and align with its purpose as a bank rooted in the communities it serves.

Since 2023, Huntington colleagues have contributed nearly 14,000 hours of community service in partnership with close to 350 organizations statewide.

For Huntington, financial literacy is a key focus area and a foundational skill that enables long-term financial wellbeing and opportunity.

Throughout the state, coordinated efforts aim to equip residents with the knowledge and confidence needed to make informed financial decisions at every stage of life. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has elevated this priority statewide, calling for collaboration to ensure more Michiganders are prepared for critical decisions related to education, housing, entrepreneurship and retirement. Schools, nonprofits, community organizations and financial institutions are meeting people where they are through practical programs delivered in classrooms, community centers, senior services and small business settings.

Turning Financial Concepts into Real-Life Experiences

Huntington’s signature financial literacy program, Reality Days, brings these principles to life for students. Partnering with local middle and high schools, Reality Days helps students explore career paths, set personal goals, build budgets, learn banking basics and understand the difference between needs and wants. The experience culminates in an interactive simulation where students manage real-world financial responsibilities such as housing, transportation, childcare, savings and household expenses. Offered in schools across Michigan, the program provides students with practical financial skills and increased confidence as they plan for their futures.

These efforts are strengthened through deep, long-standing partnerships with organizations rooted in Michigan communities, including Junior Achievement of Southeast Michigan.

“Financial literacy is a critical key to Michigan’s future,” said President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan Jason Lee. “Through strong partnerships with organizations like Huntington Bank, we are reaching tens of thousands of young people and equipping them with the skillsets needed for long-term success and economic mobility. The students we serve across our ten-county region are Michigan’s next generation of workers, innovators, CEOs and consumers. With vital resources and dedicated volunteer support from Huntington Bank and other partners, we are not just teaching financial literacy—we are giving students the ‘adulting’ toolkit they need to build confidence, advance economic mobility and pursue meaningful careers.”

These efforts help Michiganders of all ages build confidence, protect resources and plan for a more stable financial future.