Michigan
Northern Michigan beach town nominated for USA Today’s 10Best ‘Best Historic Small Town’
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LUDINGTON, MI – This Up North town nestled along the shore of Lake Michigan is an early leader in USA Today’s 10Best reader’s choice award for “Best Historic Small Town.”
Ludington celebrated its sesquicentennial in 2023 and is now being honored for its historic charm.
The small town of less than 10,000 is home to two historic lighthouses, a maritime museum in a 1934 U.S. Coast Guard station, an outdoor living history museum, lumber baron homes converted into bed and breakfasts, and the last coal-fired steamship in the country.
100 years of history encapsulated in Up North outdoor museum
It’s the “quintessential historic small town,” according to the Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Ludington is one of 20 towns throughout the country that’s nominated in this category, and the only one in Michigan.
Maritime museum on Lake Michigan shoreline offers interactive exhibits for all ages
Voting began Monday, and Ludington jumped to an early lead. Individuals can vote once daily until the contest closes at noon on Monday, April 1. Winners will be announced Friday, April 12.
“Ludington is a perfect historic small-town nominee,” said Brandy Miller, executive director of the CVB. “We’re asking locals and Michiganders alike to support Ludington with your vote. But no matter the outcome, we already know we have a winning historic town with Ludington.”
Challenging trail through sand dunes has big payoff with lighthouse on Lake Michigan beach
USA Today 10Best describes Ludington as follows:
“Building its economy on the lumber industry, Ludington continued to thrive as a shipping port, both by water and by train. Today, visitors come to explore Ludington’s small-town charm, take advantage of its waterfront location for swimming, boating and more, and shop at its many specialty shops and art galleries. Explore the town’s past at Historic White Pine Village and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum.”
Ludington is also the home port of historic car ferry the S.S. Badger, which is more than 70 years old. Built to transport railcars across Lake Michigan, it now carries passengers, vehicles and cargo on picturesque journeys across the Great Lake from May to October. The ship was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 2016.
Photos: Historic coal-powered car ferry celebrates 70 years of service on Lake Michigan
The town is also home to the East Ludington Avenue Historic District, which was recognized by the National Register of Historic Places in 2022. It features more than 40 historic homes within a half mile, including the Cartier Mansion Bed & Breakfast, which was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.
Walk back in time with this new look at history in a Lake Michigan beach town
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Michigan
Michigan Economic Development Corporation celebrates placemaking grant
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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.
Copyright 2024 WLUC. All rights reserved.
Michigan
Morning 4: Missing Fenton man believed to have drowned in SE Michigan lake — and more news
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Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day. So, let’s get to the news.
Body pulled from SE Michigan lake belongs to missing Genesee County man
The body of a missing Genesee County man was found Thursday in a private lake at the edge of Livingston County.
See the story here.
Popular chicken restaurant opens new location in Macomb County
A popular chicken restaurant chain has opened its newest location in Macomb County.
Read more here.
Twin girls hurt after lighting powerful firework in bathroom of Metro Detroit home
Twin 11-year-old girls were injured Thursday after they brought a powerful firework into a bathroom in their River Rouge home and lit it.
See more here.
Biden’s debate performance spurs Democratic panic about his ability to lead party against Trump
Above all, Joe Biden’s allies wanted him to demonstrate strength and energy on the debate stage to help put to rest questions about the 81-year-old Democrat’s physical and mental acuity.
But on the biggest stage in U.S. politics on Thursday night, Biden did not meet their modest expectations.
Read the report here.
Weather: Storms this weekend in Metro Detroit: What to expect
Copyright 2023 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
Michigan
Michigan voters react to debate | CNN Politics
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Here’s how a panel of swing state voters thought Biden and Trump performed
CNN’s Laura Coates speaks with a panel of Michigan voters to get their reactions to President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump’s performances during CNN’s presidential debate.
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