Building bridges: Community development projects in Marcellus and North Adams win MML grants

What’s happening: The Michigan Municipal League Foundation had more than 100 applications submitted for this year’s Bridge Builders Microgrants program, a number that the MML characterizes as a “big increase” from last year’s pool of applicants. But there can only be so many winners, and the MML Foundation recently released the twelve projects that have been selected.

What it is: This is the fourth round of Bridge Builders Microgrants, a program made available to Michigan Municipal League (MML) member communities that rewards creative projects intended to bring people together and unite communities. The $5,000 Main Street Microgrants are available to downtown development authorities, commercial improvement districts, municipal governments, and local businesses in traditional downtown areas. The $1,000 Neighborhood Microgrants are available to individuals, informal organizations, and neighborhood organizations and associations.

[Related: Read “Downtown Iron Mountain wins grant to help complete new public art installation project” on UPword Michigan.]

Bridge Builders: Eight projects were awarded Bridge Builders Neighborhood Microgrants, and many of them in Michigan’s more rural communities. They include “I Remember When” in Marcellus, where community youth will interview community elders for a multimedia project; and “The Growth of Corn(hole) in Our Park” in North Adams, which will install a permanent cornhole game in the community. Other winning projects can be found in Detroit, Holland, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Muskegon.

Main Street: Four projects were awarded the Main Street Microgrants, including “Welcome to Bessemer” in Bessemer, a public art mural that celebrates the community’s history and various ethnicities of its residents; “The Lakeside Cross Walk Art Project” in Muskegon, a traffic calming crosswalk that incorporates art to celebrate diversity; “Art Has Power” in Rogers City, a downtown poetry festival and art walk; and “ARTS in the BURG” in Vicksburg, a reoccurring summer festival and the “art cart,” a mobile art station.

Why it’s important: “Michigan is full of exceptional people who intentionally and creatively bring people together across divides to celebrate our shared humanity and the places that we call home. This program brings community leaders, business owners, neighborhood residents, and municipal leaders together to collaborate on thoughtful, creative projects,” says Helen Davis Johnson, MML Foundation President. “This year’s applications were exceptional, and we are looking forward to working with these communities in the coming months.”