Cultivate Coffee & Tap House launches crowdfunding campaign to bring a community space to Ypsilanti

$50,000 goal to secure matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

Lansing, Mich. – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Cultivate Coffee & Tap House today announced a new crowdfunding campaign through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. The campaign will support the transformation of a former auto electric shop in Ypsilanti into a coffee and beer bar with indoor and outdoor community space.

If Cultivate Coffee & Tap House attains its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by May 3, MEDC will provide a $50,000 matching grant. For project details and to donate, please visit: https://www.patronicity.com/project/cultivate_coffee__tap_house.

“We are pleased to partner with Cultivate Coffee & Tap House to help create a new public space in Ypsilanti and support an organization that works to make a positive impact on the community,” said MEDC Community Development Director Katharine Czarnecki.

Cultivate Coffee & Tap House is a non-profit in Depot Town, Ypsilanti that provides sustainable solutions for hunger relief through local and global gardening programs. Cultivate is in the process of renovating a half acre of land into an outdoor gathering space and community garden with a 2,100 square-foot coffee and tap house.

"Our team feels incredibly blessed by the opportunity to partner with the MEDC in making Cultivate a reality,” said Community Director Bekah Wallace. “We are thrilled to be joining such a vibrant community and look forward to opening our doors in Depot Town! We truly believe that craft and community can be used as a force for good in the world and invite you to join us on this journey."

The outdoor gathering space will encompass gardens whose produce will be donated to local food banks and additional parking space to accommodate guests. Indoors will be a small stage for concerts and events, a kid’s area, and a variety of stand-up and sit-down seating for individuals and groups. Cultivate will create a high-end coffee bar with espresso drinks, pour-overs, and a custom bar with 30 rotating Michigan beers. Altogether, this project will connect the community of Depot Town and reflect the three values of Cultivate Coffee & Tap House- community, craft, and cause.

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity where local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, non-profits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.