Thursday, January 7, 2016
$50,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC and MSHDA’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative
Lansing, Mich. – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and the Village of Vicksburg today announced a new crowdfunding campaign through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. The campaign will support the conversion of an alley that runs between S. Kalamazoo Street and S. Main St. into a Victorian Garden Path reminiscent of a European street to complement the 1880’s Italianate architecture of the buildings in the downtown district.
If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by March 8, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MSHDA and MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: www.Patronicity.com/LibertyLaneEast.
“This will be a fantastic activation of a tired space in the heart of the downtown,” said MEDC Community Development Director Katharine Czarnecki. “This really is the type of project the PSCP program was designed for.”
“Liberty Lane East has the potential to connect the history of a charming downtown with today’s demand for walkable, engaging community space,” said Kevin Elsenheimer, executive director at MSHDA.
This project is part of the $2.7 million “Vicksburg Vision Capital Campaign,” which is the revitalization plan for the Vicksburg Downtown District. The Vision Campaign includes funding the construction of a new nature trail system; enhancements to area parks; expanding and improving parking for easy access to the downtown district; and significantly updating its streetscapes with new sidewalks, trees, bike racks, flower containers, and seating.
“We are looking forward to launching this next crowdfunding project and engaging the community in redeveloping Vicksburg for future generations and to support the growing economy in Kalamazoo County,” said Bill Adams, Village President.
Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, MSHDA, 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.
