Michigan Economic Development Corporation celebrates placemaking grant

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its placemaking grant.

The Public Spaces, Community Places Grant was used to fund projects like the Marquette Skate Plaza.

Skate Plaza Committee Member Nheena Weyer Ittner said this was one of the first projects that used the program’s funding.

“It was a learning experience for them, huge learning experience for the skate plaza,” Ittner said. “We ended up being successful after a hectic, scary, exhilarating month-long campaign.”

MEDC Senior Community Development Manager Lindsey Clark explained the grant uses crowdfunding to generate public attention and interest in placemaking projects.

“We really focus on gathering that support from the community through crowdfunding for the projects,” Clark said. “Then the MEDC is able to come in and help match that local support to bring the projects to life.”

The grant used to match crowdfunding up to $50,000. Over the years, Clark explained the grant’s cap has been raised to $75,000 to incentivize inclusive projects.

“If your project incorporates that ADA and universal design to the project,” Clark said. “We are really trying to focus on bringing projects that are available for all types of folks to enjoy in the community.”

The Marquette Skate Plaza was crowdfunded with $10,000 and then was matched by the MEDC.

Ittner said grants like this encourage involvement from the community.

“When you have that matching fund kind of dangled in front of you, it just makes people more willing to give,” Ittner said. “Because they know that if we get to a particular goal the MEDC will make their dollar double.”

Marquette is one of the last stops for the MEDC’s Public Spaces, Community Places Grant Tour. Representatives will be heading downstate on Saturday.

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