LANSING, Mich. – Communities in Swartz Creek and Delton are set to benefit from newly planned public spaces, thanks to the Public Spaces Community Places (PSCP) program. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan Municipal League have launched crowdfunding campaigns via Patronicity to support these projects. If the funding targets are met by the end of the campaigns, the projects will receive matching grants from the MEDC’s PSCP program.
The Dort Financial Pergola at Holland Square is a key project in Swartz Creek. This initiative aims to create a universally accessible community pavilion in the downtown area. The pavilion will feature music speakers, fire pits, and electric hookups for food trucks. Launching today, the campaign seeks to raise $60,000 and utilizes the PSCP Universal Design and Accessibility Funding Extension to increase the potential MEDC match beyond the usual cap.
The campaign will run until July 10, and more details can be found at Patronicity.com/pergola.
Greg Dietrich, Economic & Community Development Director for the City of Swartz Creek, emphasized the project’s community impact: “The Dort Financial Pergola at Holland Square project is about creating a welcoming public gathering space in downtown Swartz Creek that residents and visitors can enjoy for years to come.”
Meanwhile, in Delton, the Revitalize Delton Pocket Park and Community Backyard project is underway. Led by a community group in partnership with the Barry Community Foundation, this initiative seeks to rejuvenate Delton’s downtown area. The goal is to transform the deteriorating space into a thriving hub that reflects the community’s charm.
Marie Ferris, a board member of Revitalize Delton, expressed gratitude for the support: “The PSCP program has given Revitalize Delton an opportunity to involve our community in fundraising for a project that will showcase its charm and beauty.”
Paula Holtz, MEDC Managing Director of Regional Development, highlighted the broader significance: “Both of these projects exemplify quality placemaking by transforming vacant space and creating places for communal gathering and events.”
The PSCP initiative allows communities to engage in the development of strategic projects with the backing of MEDC matching grants. Further information on participation is available at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.
Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League, noted the importance of such projects: “Creating beautiful, accessible third spaces, especially ones that revitalize previously underutilized areas, is crucial as we look ahead to Michigan’s future.”
Since its inception in 2014, the PSCP initiative has supported over 439 projects with more than $14.7 million in matching grants, achieving a 97 percent success rate in funding goals. These efforts have raised over $16.9 million from nearly 77,500 individual donors.
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