LANSING, Mich: Today Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that nine communities around Michigan have been awarded a total of $130,250 in grants to support downtown enhancement and improvement projects as part of the state’s ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy to develop attractive places across the state. Communities receiving Main Street Vibrancy grants are Rogers City, Grand Haven, Lapeer, Old Town – Lansing, Coldwater, Three Rivers, Blissfield, Saline, and North End – Detroit.
“Michigan’s future depends on creating vibrant, welcoming places where people want to build their lives,” said Gov. Whitmer. “With today’s investments in nine main streets across the state, we are building up our downtowns to drive local pride, support small businesses, and create more exciting spaces for people to live, work, visit, and play. These Main Street Vibrancy grants will strengthen our communities and help us build a Michigan where everyone can thrive. Together, let’s keep helping more individuals, families, and small businesses ‘make it’ in Michigan.”
The Main Street Vibrancy Grant Program provides grants of up to $15,000 to Select or Master level Michigan Main Street communities for projects that enhance the vibrancy and economic vitality of Michigan Main Street downtowns. Projects could include pop-up shop programs, implementation of a marketing or advertising campaign, physical improvements such as new seating, seasonal infrastructure, signage, or art, and other transformative projects that help create a sense of place and a more vibrant community.
Applicant Entity | Project Description | Region |
Rogers City | Community Nook – creation of a community gathering space in a vacant, underutilized location downtown with the addition of tables and chairs and native plantings. | 3 |
Grand Haven | Installation of backless benches, banners, and wayfinding signage as a catalyst for continued implementation of the community’s Vibrant Spaces Initiative, creating inclusive, attractive and functional public spaces through installing accessible seating, tables with chess boards, bike racks and repair stations, improved landscaping and planters, uplighting to trees, and replacing outdated wayfinding with cohesive, easy to read maps, markers, and banners. Vibrancy grant funds are only a portion of the entire project. | 4 |
Lapeer | Addition of amenities focusing on history, recreation and community interaction including creating a History Walk and installation of Historic Lapeer plaques, installation of an English-style phone booth with specialized recordings to garner community engagement, addition of amenities to increase accessibility and cleanliness including bike racks and installation of cigarette disposal ballot boxes that can include interactive polls, addition of another community painting, and subscription to a software package focused on engagement, volunteer recruitment, event planning, and fund development. | 6 |
Old Town | Installation of string lights over the sidewalk of the 1200 block of Turner Street to solidify Old Town as destination for festivals, events, and create a stronger pedestrian presence. This project is a pilot, which will help the community pursue additional lighting throughout the district. | 7 |
Coldwater | Public Art Program includes installation of 12 painted murals, one 16-ft sculpture and two additional sculptures created by local youth and regional professionals, implementation of an Open Late event to feature the new artwork, and promotional campaign to include a digital walking tour, social media promotion, and video campaign. | 8 |
Three Rivers | Creation of a Downtown Historic Walking Tour with installation of wayfinding and interpretative signage, self-guided tour brochures, and online ArcGIS Storymap. Project also includes a reconnaissance level survey of historic assets in the downtown and the creation of a comprehensive digital database of historic buildings. | 8 |
Blissfield | A new sound system for the entire downtown, and supplies for a new mini-art gallery that would activate a vacant alley using six student-created art pieces that rotate annually. | 9 |
Saline | Activation of Leather Bucket Alley, an underutilized space, with a 78 x 14.5-foot sidewalk mural that will invite the community to co-create the piece of art in a “color-by-numbers” format during community painting events that are documented with professional video. | 9 |
North End | North End/Milwaukee Junction Summer Sundays on the Blvd – a vibrant, community-centered market series featuring diverse culinary talent, local artists, farmers, and craft makers. The market will also feature art installations, family-friendly activities, and live music throughout the summer. | 10 |
“On behalf of the MEDC, we’re pleased to support these nine Main Street communities, who all exemplify a commitment to enhancing the sense of place and adding vibrancy to their downtowns,” said Michelle Parkkonen, Managing Director of Technical Assistance Programs at the MEDC. “These grants support the Places pillar of the state’s ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy, which focuses on developing attractive places across the state by supporting local priorities that strengthen communities where people want to build a business, a career, and a life.”
About Michigan Main Street
Michigan Main Street supports local communities across Michigan as they implement the Main Street Four-Point Approach®, a community-driven, comprehensive strategy encouraging economic development through historic preservation in ways appropriate for the modern marketplace. The program aims to create communities distinguished by a “sense of place.” The rationale is based on a range of studies that show investing in creating a sense of place is an integral part of developing vibrant city centers and downtowns, thereby making the state economically stronger and culturally diverse.
As part of the Select Level of Michigan Main Street, communities receive five years of intensive technical assistance from MEDC with a focus on revitalization strategies designed to attract new residents, business investments, economic growth, and job creation to their central business districts.
After communities have completed the Select Level of the program, they can participate in the Master Level, a two-year commitment that includes additional training and networking and mentoring opportunities.
A total of 23 communities currently participate in the Michigan Main Street program at the Select and Master levels. To see the full list, visit here.
Over the past year, Michigan Main Street communities generated more than $49 million in private investment, 136 new businesses and 117 façade and building improvements. For over 20 years, Michigan Main Street has been a catalyst for job growth, private investment, and community engagement leading to comprehensive economic development creating more vibrant downtowns and traditional commercial districts in Michigan. From 2003 through 2024, 2,033 new businesses have been launched, with a total public investment of more than $152 million and total private investment of over $473 million. In addition, more than 922,796 volunteer hours have been recorded by Michigan Main Street communities in revitalizing downtowns across the state.
Local Quotes
Rogers City: “We are both thrilled and grateful to receive a Vibrancy Grant through Michigan Main Street,” said Kaelie Fessler, Executive Director of Rogers City DDA/Main Street. “This grant will help us turn an empty downtown space into a welcoming new spot for the community. Our local welding school will be creating artistically designed steel tables and seating for the area. Along with new native plant garden and planters, this will become a beautiful and useful space for everyone. We are excited for this project to encourage more foot traffic and create a great new place for people to gather in our downtown.”
Grand Haven: “The Vibrancy Grant is helping us bring our vision to life in a really tangible way,” said Chandi Pape, Executive Director of Grand Haven Main Street. “With updated signage, we’re creating a more welcoming and connected downtown, encouraging visitors to slow down, explore, and experience all we have to offer. It’s also one of our first chances to show off our new branding and share our Love Local message in a bold, visible way. Even more exciting, this project is just the beginning; it will serve as a catalyst to expand these improvements across our entire district and beyond, helping us move forward on one of our key Transformation Strategy goals: building stronger connections.”
Lapeer: “We’re thrilled to receive this Vibrancy Grant from Michigan Main Street,” said James Alt, Executive Director of Lapeer DDA/Main Street. “This funding will empower the Lapeer Main Street DDA to bring several impactful projects to life—each designed to enhance community pride, foster public engagement, and celebrate the unique history of Historic Downtown Lapeer. This year’s initiatives will promote healthier lifestyles, strengthen our sense of place, and create lasting memories for residents and visitors of all ages.”
Old Town – Lansing: “Thanks to the Main Street Vibrancy Grant, Old Town Lansing will soon have one of our focal streets lined with string lighting,” said Samantha Benson, Executive Director of Old Town Commercial Association. “This project isn’t just about adding lights; it’s about creating a more welcoming and connected experience for everyone who visits Old Town. With support from our neighbors, the City of Lansing, the Board of Water and Light, and now the MEDC, we’re excited to bring this pilot to life in one of our most active blocks. We’re grateful for the collaboration that’s making it possible.”
Coldwater: “Downtown Coldwater’s inaugural art program is set to make a bold statement, thanks to the Main Street Vibrancy grant,” said Audrey Tappenden, Branch County Economic Growth Alliance Director. “With striking murals and sculptures woven throughout the district, this initiative will provide a dynamic, immersive experience for all to enjoy. As one of our most collaborative projects yet, it reflects the power of creativity and community coming together.”
Three Rivers: “Rebuilding Place In The Urban Space will create an engaging downtown destination while supporting our ongoing mission to promote arts, culture, and economic vibrancy,” said Angela Metty, Executive Director of the Three Rivers DDA/Main Street.
Blissfield: “Blissfield MainStreet is committed to fostering community engagement and empowering our students—the future leaders of Blissfield—to take part in shaping the public square,” said Laura Nichols, Blissfield DDA/Main Street Manager. “Projects like the Art Gallery Alley and our new sound system are helping us create a more vibrant, inclusive, and connected downtown for all. This grant is a fantastic opportunity to elevate the experience in downtown Blissfield,” Nichols continued. “The sound system will not only enhance our events but also support our small businesses by creating a more dynamic atmosphere year-round. We’re incredibly grateful to the MEDC for recognizing our vision and supporting these community-driven efforts.”
Saline: “Thanks to this Vibrancy Grant through Michigan Main Street, we can reimagine Leather Bucket Alley as a vibrant, welcoming corridor—one that celebrates creativity and connection,” said Mary Dettling, Executive Director of Saline Main Street. This will be a true community art project, guided by a professional artist but made by many hands. It’s an opportunity for Saline residents to take ownership of the space, and for us all to watch it come to life together. Saline Main Street couldn’t do this project without the support, and we’re so grateful.”
North End – Detroit: “This grant is an honor and a badge of confidence from the MEDC about the progress of our North End Main Street District as we continue to work toward National Accreditation,” said Pamela Martin Turner President/CEO for Vanguard CDC. “All the technical assistance we have received from the MEDC has come together to create our Sunday Detroit Market Series. We’ve partnered with our community to make something truly magical.”
