MEDC announces farmers market grant winners
Posted by Lake Superior Community Partnership on August 15, 2013
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation today announced Michigan Strategic Fund approval of $200,000 in grants for 10 farmers markets around the state.
“Farmers markets improve our downtowns and bring vitality and a sense of place to our communities,” said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. “These grants will support local markets, strengthen communities and create jobs in our state.”
The farmers markets chosen for today’s awards are located in Delhi Charter Township, Gladstone, Marquette, Boyne City, Port Sanilac, Gaylord, Chelsea, East Lansing, Grand Ledge and Canton Township (additional details below). The winning projects will provide $269,450 in matching funds.
Announced in June, the Farmers Market Grant Program provides one-time grants between $10,000 and $50,000 to existing farmers markets that have been in operation for at least four years in Michigan. Projects for consideration included unique and innovative design elements, amenities for patrons and vendors, multi-use spaces, multi-modal transportation, marketing and signage. Projects that make markets more accessible to residents were also given preference.
A total of 24 applications requesting $677,904 were submitted to the 2013 Farmers Market Grant Program. Representatives from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan Farmers Market Association participated on the scoring team.
“Michigan’s community farmers markets have helped re-energize the enthusiasm for connecting with our agricultural roots. As a matter of fact, Michigan ranks fourth in the nation for the number of farmers markets,” said Jamie Clover Adams, Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Our farmers markets are a great place to sample the diversity of our agriculture and get a taste of Pure Michigan.”
A second round of food entrepreneurship grants, this one aimed at the food truck industry in Michigan, will be announced within the next two to three weeks.
|
2013 farmers market |
Project description |
Matching funds |
Grant amount |
| Delhi Charter Township/Holt Farmers Market | Delhi will create a community kitchen that will expand the market into a year-round event and create a potential for community events (wine tasting, etc.). |
$10,140.78 |
$10,000 |
| City of Gladstone Farmers Market | The City of Gladstone is creating a multi-purpose area in a downtown parking lot to be used for the city’s farmer market and other local activities. |
$69,740 |
$50,000 |
| Marquette Downtown Development Authority/Marquette Farmers Market | The Marquette Commons will be revamped to better meet the needs of the farmers market by making it more aesthetically pleasing and adding needed amenities. |
$43,623 |
$24,537 |
| Boyne City Farmers Market | Boyne City is converting its Veterans Park pavilion into a multi-activity structure, complete with heat, kitchen, stage and storage. It will house a permanent winter farmers market as well as broaden the building’s community uses. |
$12,500 |
$12,500 |
| Port Sanilac Farmers Market | Port Sanilac Farmers Market will be adding a steel-roofed pavilion to provide shelter for vendors as well as performers and other community events that may be held. |
$11,750 |
$10,090 |
| Otsego County Community Foundation/Gaylord Downtown Farmers Market | The Gaylord Downtown Farmers Market will use its funds to expand accessibility and enhance a plan that focuses on organizational development, marketing and atmosphere. |
$11,127 |
$10,901 |
| Chelsea Community Hospital/Chelsea Farmers Market | The Chelsea Farmers Market will use funding to create a community input-based plan for the new market that will then be carried out. Features could include a u-shaped pavilion, smaller heated building for a winter market and a kitchen. |
$19,470 |
$16,500 |
| East Lansing Farmers Market | The E. Lansing Farmers Market wants to create a place for people to gather. A new covered plaza that is functional and pleasing to the eye will be built to house the farmers market as well as be available for special events. |
$35,000 |
$35,000 |
| Grand Ledge Downtown Development Authority/Grand Ledge Farmers Market | The Grand Ledge DDA will construct an 11,500 sq. ft. multi-use building along the river in downtown Grand Ledge. The building will be used primarily for the farmers market, as well as for an ice rink and other community events. They also will develop a business and marketing plan to help the market grow. |
$25,000 |
$15,000 |
| Canton Township Leisure Services/Canton Farmers Market | Canton Farmers Market will use its funding to implement programs that promote healthy lifestyles for adolescents and recycling education for the community. Plans also to add another community garden site with amenities and make other upgrades to the grounds. |
$31,100 |
$15,472 |
| TOTAL |
$269,450.78 |
$200,000 |
| Pure Michigan is a brand on the rise, 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 agency 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.
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