$50,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – The Village of Byron DDA will transform a vacant lot in Byron's downtown district into a community gathering space and gateway for a future riverwalk along the beautiful Shiawassee River. This effort will be completed through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Village of Byron Downtown Development Authority announced today, which is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. 

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by December 31, 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/byron. 

“The Byron Pocket Park represents a creative re-use of a long vacant space in the Village,” 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 brand-new pocket park will complete tree planting and landscaping, an accessible pathway, a mural, and seating within the now vacant space. Pocket parks provide crucial green spaces, improve mental health, foster social connections, and enhance the environment in our hometowns and allow for public use of a smaller footprint than a traditional park. The Village of Byron’s DDA is creating a pocket park where families can escape the daily commute to enjoy nature, grab an ice cream, and listen to outdoor musicians. 

“The Public Spaces, Community Places matching grant program offers a transformative opportunity for Byron’s proposed Pocket Park downtown, serving as a gateway to our future River Walk,” said Rob Vandemark, Byron DDA Chairperson. “This initiative, in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, provides vital funding that will enhance our community’s outdoor spaces. Byron DDA is thrilled to launch this campaign, which will bring us one step closer to realizing our vision of a vibrant and accessible riverfront area.” 

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 Village of Byron is making the most of a space already central to the flow of pedestrians downtown, which will foster deeper existing social connections and create new ones to nearby natural features, like the Shiawassee River,” said Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League. “This is exactly what activating spaces in communities is all about.”   

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 29, 2024, MEDC has provided more than $13.4 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 394 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $15.3 million raised from 73,298 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.