Crowdfunding campaign launched for ‘Connecting the Dots with the NeighborWay’

$15,000 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 Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation today announced a new crowdfunding campaign through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. The campaign will support the creation of a wayfinding path through the Grandmont Rosedale community in Northwest Detroit. The path will link together existing points of interest such as parks, gardens and public art installations. The project will include enhancing three of these sites by transforming them into community hubs.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $15,000 by May 20, 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/NeighborWay.

“Public Spaces Community Places is a great tool to help raise funding for community projects,” said MEDC Community Development Director Katharine Czarnecki. “We are pleased to be able to direct resources and partner in efforts like this to increase recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.”

“Connecting a community in an interactive way gives residents and visitors a renewed appreciation for the area,” said MSHDA Executive Director Kevin Elsenheimer. “Creative approaches to placemaking such as the NeighborWay project is what makes Michigan cities and towns unique and memorable.”

The Grandmont Rosedale Development Corp has engaged with community members, volunteers and other key stakeholders to generate themes, ideas and designs for the NeighborWay’s three community hubs. The designs reflect the visions, aspirations and history of the people who live or volunteer next to each site. Each community hub will orient visitors to the NeighborWay and feature other exciting elements that encourage placemaking, gathering and exploration. 

The NeighborWay will inspire locals and visitors alike to discover the many assets of the Grandmont Rosedale community. The NeighborWay will not only enhance three community hubs, it will activate the spaces in between each hub as well. The five-mile route will be designated by frequent mile markers and will connect a series of green infrastructure installations, neighborhood parks, flower gardens, native gardens, vegetable gardens, public art sites, murals, “little libraries,” and the Community House and the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market.

“We’re thrilled to be joining up with Patronicity, MEDC and MSHDA because their support means we will double our impact in the Grandmont Rosedale community,” said Becki Kenderes of the GRDC.

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.