Crowdfunding campaign launched for “Community Welcome Center & Museum” in the Upper Peninsula’s Delta County

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

LANSING, Mich. – Escanaba will soon be home to a regional hub and multi-use public complex through a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Delta County Chamber of Commerce and Michigan’s State Fair in the Upper Peninsula announced today. The campaign is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by April 30, 2019, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/dc.

“This space will provide a variety of uses and serve as an anchor institution for the regional community,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Katharine Czarnecki. “We are pleased to provide resources for this effort through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

For more than a decade, the organizations of the Commerce Center have envisioned and worked hard planning for a collaborative facility located on the busiest thoroughfare in the Upper Peninsula. This campaign will translate that vision by completing the U.P. Welcome Center, Webster Marble “Inventing the Outdoors” Museum and the Delta County Commerce Center.

“We believe there is tremendous value in the Public Spaces Community Places program and are honored to have been selected for this opportunity,” said Vickie Micheau, executive director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce. “As a result of collaborative planning for more than a decade, the vision for our community dedicated facility will soon become reality. This would not be possible without the matching PSCP grant or the show of support from our wonderful waterfront community.”

The complex will serve not only as a community gathering space, but also a hub for tourism and economic growth.

“Creating engaging public spaces is key to great placemaking,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director of the Michigan Municipal League. “This multi-purpose facility will provide a welcoming environment for residents and tourists alike.”

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League and Patronicity, in which 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 https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of March 13, 2019, MEDC has provided more than $6 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 196 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $7.2 million raised from 37,743 individual donors.

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.