Crowdfunding campaign launched for “Restore Our Coke Sign” campaign bringing art and history to downtown Albion

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

LANSING, Mich. – Downtown Albion will soon gain three public art installations to celebrate its unique history and culture through a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Albion Community Foundation announced today. The campaign is being offered through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by Nov. 3, 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/cokealbion.

“The Coke mural in Albion is an iconic piece of history that, when restored, will complement the other public art pieces being installed,” said MEDC Director of Community Development Incentives Lori Mullins. “We are pleased to provide resources for this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

The spectacular Coca-Cola mural awaits its turn to be restored to the grandeur of the last century. The beloved piece has been the backdrop for ceremonies, the focal point of local downtown advertising and the face of the Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce. Located in the heart of downtown Albion, the faded beauty sits expectantly, awaiting funds to restore it to its former red, white and green glory.

In addition to restoring the iconic Coca-Cola mural, the campaign will complete a mural reflecting the city's foundry roots and install a statue celebrating Albion as the home of T-Ball. To bring this public art exhibition to life, a local, all-volunteer committee was formed.

“Saving our iconic Coca-Cola sign and bringing more artwork downtown is vital to the ongoing revitalization of Albion. Having the opportunity to match local fund raising will help instill a real sense of community pride and belonging in residents," said volunteer fundraising chairs Janet Domingo and Linda Kolmodin.

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League and Patronicity, in which 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.

“Preserving a community’s history and character is key to great placemaking,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director of the Michigan Municipal League. “That uniqueness helps to generate the vitality that attracts residents, visitors and businesses.”

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 September 12, 2019, MEDC has provided $6,800,196 in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 227 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $8 million raised from 41,777 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.