By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
On Wednesday, April 6, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced that eight communities in Michigan had been selected to receive grants to support downtown enhancement and improvement projects.
Otsego was among them.
The eight communities, which are all Select or Master-level members of the Michigan Main Street program, were awarded Vibrancy Grants of $20,000 each for a total of $160,000.
According to Otsego Main Street executive director Kahler Sweeney, his group plans to use the grant money to help fund riverfront enhancements including benches, art panels, landscaping and outdoor games. Money will also be used for an art garden, sidewalk café seating and decorations.
These projects will allow Otsego Main Street to continue its development of the downtown area, which included the opening of the TOP Riverfront Pavilion last October.
“Vibrancy grant funding will allow us to expand our ongoing greenscraping projects into a true public space activation initiative,” Sweeney said. “By combining local development dollars, grant funding and community fundraising, this project will bring new, exciting public space improvements and amenities to what had previously been an old parking lot and city dump.
“The Vibrancy Grant will fund improvements to our riverfront area nearly as large as our adjacent commercial downtown business district, greatly expanding the range of outdoor, family-friendly recreation opportunities available in downtown Otsego for residents and visitors alike.”
Whitmer’s office said the grants were a continuation of the governor’s commitment to support small businesses in Michigan.
“Vibrant downtown areas are critical to creating jobs, attracting new investments and helping local businesses build a foundation for long-term success in Michigan,” Whitmer said. “These grants will help communities in both peninsulas invest in their downtowns, developing unique places where people want to live, visit, work and play.
“Small businesses are the cornerstone of our economy, and we must continue working together to help them thrive. Over the last couple of years, entrepreneurship has flourished in Michigan, with over 430,000 new businesses formed since January 2019. Together, we will continue investing in small businesses and helping towns and cities of all sizes build thriving downtowns.”
According to the MEDC, Michigan Main Street communities generated more than $26.6 million in private investment, 127 new businesses and 143 façade and building improvements in the past year.
“Since its inception in 2003, the Michigan Main Street has been a catalyst for job growth, private investment and community engagement,” the organization said in a press release.
From 2003 through 2018, 1,622 new businesses have been launched, with a total public investment of more than $128.9 million and total private investment of $346 million. In addition, more than 810,704 volunteer hours recorded by Michigan Main Street communities in revitalizing downtowns across the state.
“These communities have all worked diligently to enhance the sense of place and vibrancy in their downtowns, engage residents and businesses, and drive economic growth,” said Michelle Parkkonen, Managing Director of Community Development Technical Assistance Programs at the MEDC. “Today’s Vibrancy grants will help further strengthen the downtowns and commercial districts in these communities, helping their businesses grow while also building unique places that are attractive to residents and visitors.”
The Michigan Main Street Center supports local communities across Michigan as they implement the Main Street Four-Point Approach, a community-driven, comprehensive strategy encouraging economic development through historic preservation in ways appropriate for the modern marketplace.
The program aims to create communities distinguished by a “sense of place.” The rationale is based on a range of studies that show investing in creating a sense of place is an integral part of developing vibrant city centers and downtowns, thereby making the state economically stronger and culturally diverse.
As part of the Select Level of Michigan Main Street, communities receive five years of intensive technical assistance from MEDC with a focus on revitalization strategies designed to attract new residents, business investments, economic growth and job creation to their central business districts.
After communities have completed the Select Level of the program, they can participate in the Master Level, a two-year commitment that includes additional training and networking and mentoring opportunities. Otsego is currently a Master Level participant.
A total of 27 communities currently participate in the Michigan Main Street program at the Select and Master levels.
