FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 17, 2014
Contact: Nate Pilon, MEDC
517-335-4590
pilonn1@michigan.org
Chris Miller, City of Adrian
517-264-4804
CMiller@adrianmi.gov
Adrian launches crowdfunding campaign to support new Kiwanis Trailhead Park
$25,000 goal to secure matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces
Community Places initiative
Lansing, Mich. – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the city of Adrian, Adrian Kiwanis Club, and the Adrian Kiwanis Foundation today announced a new crowdfunding campaign through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. The campaign will support a new park connecting the Kiwanis Trail to Downtown Adrian.
“The Kiwanis Trail is an asset to the community, and this project will provide new recreational opportunities in addition to enhancing Downtown Adrian,” said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. “The Public Spaces Community Places initiative, one of the first of its kind in the country, is a great opportunity for residents, businesses, and others to pool resources and actively engage to transform public spaces in their communities.”
If the campaign attains its crowdfunding goal of $25,000 by November 28, MEDC will provide a $25,000 matching grant. For project details and to contribute, please visit:https://patronicity.com/project/kiwanis_trailhead
Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity where local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of transformational projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, non-profits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.
“Adrian is very excited to be part of the MEDC/MML/Patronicity crowdfunding effort,” said City Administrator Shane Horn. “We are proud of the Kiwanis Trail, and the opportunity to connect the trail to our historic and growing downtown is the perfect community project. We have been working with the Adrian Kiwanis Club to complete this trailhead park for several years, but like communities across the state, have struggled to fund important public projects. The MEDC match and the willingness of the community to support this project will enable us to build this beautiful entrance to our downtown.”
The Kiwanis Trailhead Park will provide trail users access to the trail and Downtown Adrian. It will have new landscaping, benches, trees, lighting, pathways, signs, and will showcase the western entry to the historic downtown. While the Kiwanis trail is heavily utilized, there is no clear way to transition to and from the trail with downtown, and this project will provide that transition point and also provide an attractive location for residents and visitors to gather.
“Communities that engage in place making, like Adrian, are positioning themselves for long term success,” said MML CEO and Executive Director Daniel P. Gilmartin. “We’re thrilled to see this project supported through the Public Spaces Community Places program and MEDC.”
The city, the Adrian Kiwanis Club, and the Adrian Kiwanis Foundation have committed $105,000 of the $155,000 required to complete the project.
Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy.
For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit MichiganBusiness.org. For Michigan travel news, updates and information, visit michigan.org. Michigan residents interested in seeking employment with any of Michigan’s growing companies should check mitalent.org, where more than 85,000 jobs are currently available in a variety of industries.
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