$75,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – The Village of Stevensville will complete an initiative to create a central hub for community events, gatherings, and recreational activities through a new universally accessible pavilion at Hickory Creek Park. This effort will be fulfilled through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Village of Stevensville announced today, which is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. 

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $75,000 by December 9^th, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/HCpavilion. 

“The Hickory Creek Park Pavilion will not just be a static shelter, it will be a gathering place fitted with universally accessible amenities throughout and will help to further activate a beloved community space,” said MEDC Regional Prosperity Managing Director Paula Holtz. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.” 

The Hickory Creek Park Pavilion project is a major initiative for the Village and will enhance Hickory Creek Park with new, accessible amenities. The pavilion will feature universally accessible restrooms, a kitchen area, accessible picnic tables, and van-accessible parking spaces, making the park more inclusive and welcoming for all residents and visitors. 

The new pavilion will serve as a space for the Village to expand its recreational opportunities and provide a versatile space for activities like fitness classes, nature programs, and festivals, encouraging healthy outdoor engagement. The space will service community programming such as Movies in the Park, live music, and farmers markets, which strengthen social bonds and foster a sense of belonging within the community. 

“This is a powerful opportunity for both local residents and businesses to make a lasting difference,” said Kacey Dominguez, Village Manager. “With the AEP challenge and the MEDC match, every dollar donated will go further, helping us close the funding gap and create a welcoming space for our community.” 

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League and Patronicity, in which local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan. 

“The importance of accessible and versatile public gathering places to the resiliency of a community cannot be overstated,” said Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League. “The Hickory Creek Park Pavilion is a great example of what residents want in the communities they call home.”  

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of October 17, 2024, MEDC has provided more than $13.3 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 393 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $15.2 million raised from 73,273 individual donors. Communities have a 97 percent success rate in achieving their goals and earning matching funds. 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.