Crowdfunding campaign launched to permanently light Flint’s Buckham Alley

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

Lansing, Mich. – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Friends of The Alley today announced a new crowdfunding campaign through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. The campaign will support permanent lights for Buckham Alley in downtown Flint.

If the Buckham Alley Project attains its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by April 18, MEDC will provide a $50,000 matching grant. For project details and to donate, please visit: https://www.patronicity.com/project/friends_of_the_alley_buckham_alley_fest_improvements#/. 

“We are proud to partner in this effort to enhance Buckham Alley and create a more useable public space,” said MEDC Community Assistance Team Specialist Nate Scramlin. “An improvement like this in downtown Flint will bring huge benefits to the city.”

Buckham Alley is home to Flint’s popular large-scale music and art festival, The Buckham Alley Fest. The festival encourages people to explore and enjoy Flint’s downtown and support the rebound of the city. Each year, the festival provides lighting for the entire alley. Residents and visitors alike are enamored by the hanging lights and have been promised they will become permanent.

“The permanent lighting of Buckham Alley will really allow the space to become more than just a pass through. It will create a destination. A place that people want to come and see. We are really excited to be able to make this a staple in downtown Flint,” said Uptown Reinvestment Corporation Marketing and Property Manager Marcus Papin. “The lighting furthers the rebirth of our downtown as a vibrant city center. The MEDC’s assistance with the matching funds is an invaluable resource for this project and we are so pleased to be afforded this opportunity.”

By permanently affixing the lighting to buildings along the alley, residents and visitors will have a public space to take advantage of year round. Aside from creating a better sense of place for the Flint community, the lights will also create a sense of security, ultimately increasing the activity downtown. In addition to using this funding for lighting, the Friends of The Alley will provide areas for sponsor banners to hang.

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.