Public space projects finalists for grants

Alma, Clare in contention for funding from Consumers Energy’s ‘Put Your Town on the Map’ program

Proposed projects in two midmichigan cities are among 10 finalists in a grant program sponsored by Consumers Energy.

The utility’s “Put Your Town on the Map” competition will award the top three applicants grants of $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000.

If Alma receives funding it has proposed an Arts Downtown Placemaking Project to develop three parcels into public spaces.

The sites are on either end of a one-third mile stretch of Superior Street, which comprises the primary portion of the city’s downtown business district.

“This project will create community space to sit and enjoy downtown offerings such as food, music, art activities and performances,” Gratiot Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brendan Kelley stated in a press release. “It will provide for multiuse space for various arts and social events throughout the year.”

If Clare qualifies it will use the money to create a Destination Sculpture Walk in an effort to enhance the culture of the city “by bringing vitality to outdoor spaces as a means of embracing art in the challenging COVID-19 environment, while serving as a tool to help define downtown as an Arts and Entertainment district,” according to a city press release.

The plan is to commission 10 sculptures to display in the central business district for one year as part an ongoing sculpture program.

Alma and Clare officials will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges April 13 during the Small Town & Rural Development Conference,

which will be held virtually.

The two cities have already had to beat out some tough competition to become finalists.

A record 95 communities with populations of 10,000 or less applied for grants this year.

The Put Your Town on the Map competition “aims to reward innovative ideas that attract visitors to downtowns, focus on

housing, education or employment, and create community pride, among others, a Consumers Energy press release stated.

“The pandemic has created challenges for communities of all sizes, but it hasn’t stopped communities from embracing bold ideas to put themselves on the map,” Consumers

Energy Vice President of Public Affairs Roger Curtis said. “Consumers Energy is committed to ensuring Michigan’s communities of all sizes are growing and thriving, and we’re excited to provide financial help to turn original ideas into reality.”

The competition was not held in 2020 due to the pandemic. During its first year in 2019 a total of $15,000 was awarded to Port Austin, Spring Lake and Sparta.