Downtown Rogers City will soon have an enhanced welcome space in the heart of the business district with the help of a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Rogers City announced Dec. 5.
If the Rogers City-Third & Erie Beautification campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by February 1, 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/rogerscity.
“This project was a great fit for Public Spaces, Community Places because its adds communal value to a generally underutilized space,” said MEDC Vice President of Community Development Katharine Czarnecki. “We are glad to partner on and resource this revitalization effort.”
Funding raised during this campaign will support the project in transforming the underutilized parking area at the intersection of Third Street and Erie Street in downtown Rogers City. The new space will serve to welcome visitors to Rogers City and provide a sense of the town’s nautical history. The project will include the addition of guided walkways, welcome signs, historically preserved pieces, landscaping, seating, and other amenities to complete the gathering space. Located at the center of Rogers City, this enhanced space will serve to give visitors and residents an idea of what the town has to offer and also connect to the central business district.
“This is an exciting project that will beautify our downtown while celebrating our unique nautical history,” said Rogers City Manager Joseph Hefele. “None of it would be possible without the generosity and enthusiastic spirit of this community and the wonderful folks at MEDC and MSHDA, who have stood behind the project and agreed to match every dollar we raise locally with grant dollars through the Public Spaces, Community Places program.”
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.
“Many communities have strip malls and parking lots that are ripe for redevelopment and the effort in Rogers City is an excellent example of turning this type of area into a point of pride,” said Dan Gilmartin, Michigan Municipal League CEO and executive director. “We hope the community supports this crowdfunding initiative and help make this space a welcoming destination for years to come.”
Michigan ranks No. 1 in the nation in the number of crowdfunding partnerships, and the amount raised (and matched) for community-based projects. Since the launch of the PSCP program in June 2014, 92 projects have been completed, with more than $3.5 million raised from 16,441 donors. MEDC has provided matching grants totaling $2.9 million.
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