Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday that nine communities around Michigan, including Lapeer, have been awarded a total of $130,250 in grants to support downtown enhancement and improvement projects as part of the state’s ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy to develop attractive places across the state.
The Main Street Vibrancy Grant Program provides grants of up to $15,000 to Select or Master level Michigan Main Street communities for projects that enhance the vibrancy and economic vitality of Michigan Main Street downtowns.
Projects could include pop-up shop programs, implementation of a marketing or advertising campaign, physical improvements such as new seating, seasonal infrastructure, signage, or art, and other transformative projects that help create a sense of place and a more vibrant community. Michigan Main Street 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.”
Lapeer’s funding will go towards several projects, such as the addition of amenities focusing on history, recreation and community interaction including creating a History Walk and installation of Historic Lapeer plaques, as well as the installation of an English-style phone booth with specialized recordings to garner community engagement. There will also be the addition of amenities to increase accessibility and cleanliness, such as bike racks and installation of cigarette disposal ballot boxes that can include interactive polls.
Other items covered by the funding will be another community painting, and a subscription to a software package focused on engagement, volunteer recruitment, event planning, and fund development.
