Crowdfunding campaign launched for ‘Lakeshore Depot’ project in Marquette

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

LANSING, Mich. – Lakeshore Depot in Marquette will complete its vision of becoming a local hub where community and agriculture meet with the help of a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and local L3C Lakeshore Depot 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 December 21, 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/lakeshore.

“Food hubs like Lakeshore Depot bring new vitality and provide spaces for community to gather, support local producers and food entrepreneurs, and purchase locally-made goods,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Michele Wildman. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

Lakeshore Depot is the Upper Peninsula’s only year-round indoor daily farmer’s market. Located on the coast of Lake Superior across from McCarty's Cove on Lakeshore Blvd., the depot offers a wide variety of regional and local produce, meat, eggs, dairy, craft beverages, dry goods, and pantry staples. Though they opened their doors in July 2020, this campaign will allow them to complete their space and expand for greater community use.

The funding raised in this campaign will allow the depot to expand into a new space and create a deli and café space, an indoor seating area, bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and a community garden. This new community gathering space will support their mission of driving local sustainability efforts, improving food security, investing in local farmers, and providing a platform to educate the community on sustainable food systems.

"We are very excited to enter this new phase of Lakeshore Depot’s mission. Thanks to this partnership with the MEDC, we will be able to better support our community and strengthen Marquette’s local food system,” said Mike Hainstock, owner of Lakeshore Depot.

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 build on existing assets to enhance the human experience for everyone,” said Dan Gilmartin, the League’s CEO and Executive Director. “Adding space, amenities, and food offerings at the existing Lakeshore Depot in Marquette does both. With the support of the Marquette-area community, this effort will improve the human experience for everyone for years to come. 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 Nov. 5, 2021, MEDC has provided more than $9.5 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 295 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $10.9 million raised from 51,096 individual donors. Communities have a 97 percent success rate in achieving their goals and earning MEDC matching funds.

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.