Crowdfunding campaign launched for the Kiwanis Trail –Tecumseh Connection

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

 

LANSING, Mich. – The city of Tecumseh will soon become fully connected to the city of Adrian via an extension of the Kiwanis Trail system through a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and city of Tecumseh today. The campaign is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by June 12, 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/kiwanistrail.

“Creating recreational opportunities that also connect our neighboring communities and economies is what this program is all about,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Michele Wildman. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this effort through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

By extending the Kiwanis Trail to Tecumseh, this project will create a continuous non-motorized path all the way to Adrian. The Kiwanis Regional Trail Authority is leading this collaboration between cities and townships. The “Tecumseh Connection” will construct an 8-foot wide asphalt path stretching 1.5 miles from the current trailhead at Green Highway and Ives Road intersection to Cal Zorn Park. Imagine being able to bike from downtown Tecumseh to downtown Adrian for lunch or dinner. This project will not only lengthen the trail but provide greater and easier access to a year-round recreational resource

“The city of Tecumseh is thrilled to be a part of this project that will connect four communities with the extension of the Kiwanis Trail into Cal Zorn Park. When completed, it will finally close the 1-½ mile gap that prevents the trail from being accessible to many potential users,” said Tecumseh City Manager Dan Swallow. “The Tecumseh Connection of the Kiwanis Trail will improve this highly desirable recreation amenity and provide a regional draw and economic boost during these difficult times. This new connection will also have health benefits for our residents, who will now have much easier access for walking, running, and biking.”

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 Michigan Municipal League is a firm believer in building community wealth in ways that enhance the human experience for everyone,” said MML CEO and Executive Director Dan Gilmartin. “Tying the Kiwanis Trail to the city of Tecumseh would do exactly that by making the trail accessible to even more people. That is what community wealth building is about.”

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 April 28, 2021, MEDC has provided more than $8.4 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 267 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $9.8 million raised from 47,364 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.