JACKSON, Mich. April 22, 2025 — The Consumers Energy Foundation announced today the top 10 finalists for the Put Your Town on the Map pitch competition, which will provide a total of $50,000 in grant funding for projects in three small towns across the state. The finalists, selected by the Foundation and the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM), will make their pitches at the Small Town and Rural Development Conference on June 9. The top three winners will receive grants worth $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000, respectively.

“As a native of a small town in Michigan, I know how passionate Michiganders are about bettering the places they call home,” said Brandon Hofmeister, president of the Consumers Energy Foundation. “Ensuring every community, no matter its size, has the resources needed for its people and businesses to thrive is one of our top priorities at the Consumers Energy Foundation, and one of the reasons we started and continue to sponsor this competition. We look forward to hearing the pitches for these projects and selecting the winners at the conference in June.”

The Finalists Are as Followed…….

• City of Alma (Gratiot County), Landscaping of Entrance to Historic District
• City of Bronson (Branch County), Viking Wood Sculptures
• City of Durand (Shiawassee County), New Railroad Park
• Village of Fowlerville (Livingston County), Mural of Detroit Tigers’ Great Charlie Gehringer
• Village of Lake Odessa (Ionia County), Mural Project
• City of Manistee (Manistee County), Voice of Manistee Storytelling Project
• The Communities of Prudenville and Houghton Lake (Roscommon County), Fish Sculptures
• The Arc (Shiawassee County), Downtown Outdoor Beer Garden
• Village of Vanderbilt (Otsego County), Gateway to Pigeon River Forest Project
• Watson Township (Allegan County), Seven Generations Park
  
  

Consumers Energy started the competition, which seeks to support communities in Michigan with fewer than 10,000 residents, in 2019. In 2024, grant dollars were awarded to Imlay City for a public interactive art and audio display, Rogers City for a public art sculpture, and St. Johns for artistic benches throughout the community.

The Consumers Energy Foundation is the charitable arm of Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest energy provider. The Foundation contributes to the growth and strengthening of Michigan communities by investing in what’s most important — our people, our planet and Michigan’s prosperity. In 2024, the Consumers Energy Foundation, CMS Energy Foundation, Consumers Energy, its employees and retirees contributed more than $15 million in support of Michigan nonprofits and communities. For more information, visit consumersenergy.com/foundation.