Crowdfunding campaign launched in Adrian to create new community hot spot at Croswell Opera House

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

Lansing, Mich. – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Croswell Opera House & Fine Arts Association today announced a new crowdfunding campaign through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. The campaign will support the transformation of the Croswell’s Heritage Room into a new community gathering space.

If the community hits its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by August 29, it will be matched with a $50,000 grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit https://www.patronicity.com/croswell.

“We are pleased to partner in this effort to refurbish the Croswell and help create a new destination in downtown Adrian,” said MEDC Community Development Director Katharine Czarnecki. “This project has the potential to be a real catalyst and attract patrons to other downtown businesses and venues.”

The Heritage Room, just off the Croswell lobby, will be expanded and renovated into a comfortable lounge space where people can gather for entertainment, food, drink and conversation. The new space, open before and after Croswell productions, will be built out to the front of the building to accommodate more people and let in natural light. The new space will be used for events like open mic nights, poetry slams, wine/craft beer/tea tastings, trivia nights, improv performances, bingo nights, paint-and-pour art classes, and more.

“The sky really is the limit,” said Croswell artistic director Jere Righter.

The Heritage Room project is part of a $6.2 million renovation plan for the Croswell Opera House, the center for arts and culture in Adrian for nearly 150 years.

“This project is not only a huge part of the Croswell’s future, it’s also going to play a role in the revitalization of our downtown,” Righter said. “The new Heritage Room will really help establish downtown Adrian as a place for fun experiences.”

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.