Crowdfunding campaign launched for the ‘Liberty Harvest’ Project

$31,750 goal to win matching grant through MEDC and MSHDA’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

Lansing, Mich. – A vacant area in the Brightmoor neighborhood of Detroit will be transformed into a community center and grow house for local veterans through a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and Resurge Detroit announced today. The campaign is being offered through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. 

“Supporting projects that have economic and social value for their community is what Public Spaces, Community Places is striving to support,” said MEDC Community Development Director Katharine Czarnecki. “We are pleased to be able to resource this productive effort.” 

If the Liberty Harvest Grow House campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $31,750 by September 18, 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: patronicity.com/LibertyHarvest 

"The Liberty Harvest project puts vacant land to work in a way that helps address important issues in the community," MSHDA Executive Director Kevin Elsenheimer said. "Helping veterans transition back into life at home while providing local families and businesses with fresh, affordable, and locally grown produce is an innovative approach to engaging the local community." 

Funding raised during this campaign will support the project in transforming an industrial shipping container into a solar powered hydroponic grow house. It will also jump start a training program that will empower veterans who are affiliated with nearby Veteran’s Village to cultivate a future in agricultural production. This repurposing of industrial waste in to a functional, low cost grow space is a new approach to traditional agricultural and urban farming. This will help address the issues facing this community but also the veterans who have struggled to find their place in civilian society. 

“We are absolutely elated to be able to be a part of the MEDC/MSHDA Public Spaces, Community Places grant program,” says Resurge Detroit’s Director Jibran Ahmed, “Our mission is to be able to provide veterans an avenue to be a major key in the local communities, economic impact, and culture of Detroit’s resurgence. With this match grant, we are one big leap toward accomplishing this goal. It is encouraging to know that MEDC and MSHDA support new and innovative technology coming into the city. With support like this, Detroiters can strive toward a city driven by and built on human-centered design.” 

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, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at 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.