Crowdfunding Campaigns Launched for Community Projects in Swartz Creek and Delton

LANSING, Mich. –  Two new public spaces in Swartz Creek and Delton are being created with the support of the Public Spaces Community Places (PSCP) program. These projects will be fulfilled through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaigns that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan Municipal League announced today, which are being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. If the campaigns reach their crowdfunding goals by the end their campaign timeline, the projects will win a matching grant with funds made possible by the MEDC’s PSCP program.

The City of Swartz Creek is leading the charge to create a community gathering space in its downtown with the creation of a universally accessible community pavilion/pergola, Dort Financial Pergola at Holland Square. The space will include a built-in speaker system for music, fire pits for cozy gatherings, and electrical hookups for food trucks in the summer. The campaign launched today and aims to raise $60,000; the project is utilizing the PSCP Universal Design and Accessibility Funding Extension to raise an additional $10,000 beyond the $50,000 cap for an MEDC match. The space is designed with universal design principles and current accessibility standards to ensure it welcomes people of all abilities. 

The campaign will remain open until July 10. Get full details at Patronicity.com/pergola. 

“The Dort Financial Pergola at Holland Square project is about creating a welcoming public gathering space in downtown Swartz Creek that residents and visitors can enjoy for years to come,” says Greg Dietrich, Economic & Community Development Director for the City of Swartz Creek. “Through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program, our community now has an opportunity to turn local support into an even greater investment in our downtown. We are excited to work together to bring this project to life.” 

In Delton, and effort to Revitalize Delton Pocket Park and Community Backyard is being led by a community group aiming to revitalize Delton, which partnered with the Barry Community Foundation. The project will create a sense of place and gathering in downtown Delton. A rural community surrounded by pristine lakes and hiking trails, downtown Delton has been deteriorating, but efforts are underway to bring back the quaint community of the past and make it the thriving community of the future.

Through PSCP, they aim to transform a blighted alleyway and vacant space into a pocket park where people can grab a cup of coffee or snack, gather in a safe and inviting space, and perhaps even play a game of corn hole. The crowdfunding campaign launched today and aims to raise $24,875 by July 27 to earn a matching grant from the MEDC’s PSCP program. Learn more about this project at Patronicity.com/delton. 

“The PSCP program has given Revitalize Delton an opportunity to involve our community in fundraising for a project that will showcase its charm and beauty. With PSCP, the dream of this quaint pocket park and community backyard will become a reality,” said Marie Ferris, Revitalize Delton Board Member and Beautification Committee Chair. “We are grateful to PSCP and this platform for helping make this possible."   

“Both of these projects exemplify quality placemaking by transforming vacant space and creating places for communal gathering and events,” said MEDC Managing Director of Regional Development Paula Holtz. “We are proud to provide resources for these efforts through our Public Spaces Community Places program.” 

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League and Patronicity, in which 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, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan. 

“Creating beautiful, accessible third spaces, especially ones that revitalize previously underutilized areas, is crucial as we look ahead to Michigan’s future,” said Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League. “These outdoor gathering spots will be wonderful additions to Delton and Swartz Creek, allowing for connections that benefit all community members. This is what placemaking is all about.” 

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of May 26, 2026, the MEDC has provided more than $14.7 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 439 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $16.9 million raised from 77,488 individual donors. Communities have a 97 percent success rate in achieving their goals and earning matching funds. 

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.