Current Board Positions
Benzie County Economic Development & Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (Member)
Frankfort Housing Commission (Chair)
The Friends of Point Betsie Lighthouse (Director)
Broadband High Speed Internet
When Andy was a County Commissioner in 2022, the Benzie County Board of Commissioners allocated $1.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to enhance connectivity for the unserved and underserved in our community. This investment, combined with a recent award to Cherry Capital Communication through the ROBIN Grant process, has amplified the County's contribution into an $8 million project. This initiative will extend broadband access to over 4,000 homes in Benzie County! Andy continues to serve on the EDC board that get monthly updates on the success in fiber in our community.
Workforce Housing
In 2022, while serving as a Commissioner, Andy played a crucial role in helping the Frankfort Area Community Land Trust secure the seed money needed to launch their project. Through his efforts, he successfully obtained $120,000 from the Benzie County Commissioners to support this significant initiative. Two finished homes are currently occupied, and two more will be available for sale in the fall of 2024. There are also plans to construct additional homes in the coming years.
Point Betsie Lighthouse
In 2021, as a Commissioner, Andy Miller helped secure a $5.2 million enhancement grant from the recently passed Michigan state budget for repairs to the crumbling Shoreline Protection System at Point Betsie Lighthouse. Andy would like to extend his sincere thanks to Senator Curt VanderWall, who was instrumental in supporting the cause. Andy is still on the FPBLH Board working to get the SPS built in 2025.
Workforce Apartments
Andy is currently the Chair of the Frankfort Housing Commission. In 2022, as a Commissioner, he secured over $400,000 for workforce housing in Frankfort. This funding supports HomeStretch’s latest project, completion date of Fall 2024, featuring two six-unit buildings with a total of 12 affordable workforce housing units. Each two-story townhome is 960 square feet, with two bedrooms and one and a half baths. Rent is income-based, making it significantly more affordable than other local options. These units provide transitional housing, helping workers find a place to stay while laying the foundation for long-term homeownership. This partnership is a crucial step towards addressing the housing needs in Frankfort, with more initiatives planned for the future.
About me...
Why I'm Running Again for Benzie County Commissioner District 3
Includes City of Frankfort, Crystal Lake & Lake Township
Hello Everyone,
My name is Andy Miller, and I am thrilled to announce my candidacy again for Benzie County District 3 County Commissioner. My family has lived in Frankfort for generations. My grandfather, Dr. Thacker, was a local doctor who raised three daughters and practiced medicine until the day he died. My mother, Valerie, was the middle child. She was born, raised, and graduated from Frankfort.
I was fortunate to visit my grandfather and family every holiday and summer since I was born. In my 20s, I had the opportunity to live here full-time. My parents owned a house in Crystal Lake Township all my life. In 2000, my wife Becky and I had the chance to buy my parents' home and raise our family. A year earlier, I bought Papano’s Pizza in Beulah and have now been in the business for over 25 years. Becky and I have been married for 24 years and have raised our three children in Frankfort. All three children were born and raised here and have graduated from Frankfort Schools. Currently, Sydney is a senior at The University of Michigan, Blake is a junior at Albion College, and Payton just graduated high school and will be attending Lake Michigan College in the fall.
We are highly active in the community. I was appointed to the Benzie County Commissioner’s District 3 from 2000-2002. I ran for this position in the 2022 election and, although I lost, I never gave up on our community. Currently, I serve on several boards including the Benzie County Economic Development & Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Frankfort Housing Commission, and The Friends of Point Betsie Lighthouse.
I loved being a County Commissioner and seeing the need and helping out in our community. When I'm not making pizza or serving on boards to improve our area, you'll find me and my wife Becky volunteering at Frankfort Schools events. Over the past 24 years, I have volunteered with Junior Achievement, taken sideline videos and pictures, created floats for parades, supported volleyball, track, basketball, and baseball teams, and chaperoned every dance, Homecoming, Snowcoming, and Prom since 2015.
Thank you for your support and I look forward to the opportunity to serve our community once again.
Paid for by Miller for Benzie
1506 Michigan Ave
Frankfort, Mi 49635