Crowdfunding campaign launched for ‘Wayne Veterans Memorial’ project

$30,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – The city of Wayne will soon gain an accessible memorial to honor local veterans, both past and present, through a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and city of Wayne announced today. The campaign is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $30,000 by April 20, 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/memorial.

“Well-designed memorial parks allow for the public to gather and honor the sacrifices of treasured community members,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Michele Wildman. “We are pleased to bring this space to life and provide resources for this effort through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

The project is the result of local demand. It came together through a community-wide committee, in partnership with the local UAW 900, and will bring the memorial park to an accessible and central location near Wayne City Hall. The vacant space is large, and a universally accessible path already exists next to the building. The parking lot will also allow the city to reserve spaces that face the memorial for veteran parking only, with several handicap spaces.

Funding for the campaign will support the completion of a completely new memorial including excavation for pavement, footing for donated monuments, a new flagpole, a new American flag, lighting, benches, signage along with five years of maintenance and more. Additionally, the project is special because it will pay tribute to the city’s war heroes.

"At the request of veterans in the city, we are raising funds to erect a new veterans memorial that will be accessible year-round. To enhance the city's fundraising goals for the memorial, we have started a crowdfunding campaign,” said Lisa Nocerini, city manager of Wayne. “If someone was willing to raise their right hand and swear to defend us and our way of life, then we need to honor them. Wayne is a very supportive place for veterans, and we are thrilled to be able to partner with the MEDC on such an amazing project."

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.

“Activating public spaces to meet the needs of the community is key to great placemaking,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director of the Michigan Municipal League. “Using this space to honor the city’s veterans makes it even more exceptional.”

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 Jan. 31, 2020, MEDC has provided nearly $7.3 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 233 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $8.4 million raised from 43,159 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.