JACKSON, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Consumers Energy Foundation is calling for entries in it’s annual Put Your Town on the Map pitch competition which is set to provide a total of $50,000 dollars in funding for three projects that help small communities in Michigan grow and thrive.
Officials with the foundation say communities with up to 10,000 residents can submit their proposals through Friday, April 7. The foundation along with the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan will select 10 finalists to make their pitches at the Small Town and Rural Development Conference in June, with the top three winners receiving grants worth $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000.
Consumers Energy started the competition in 2019 to reward innovative ideas that attract visitors to downtowns, advance housing, education or employment, cultivate community pride and more.
In 2022, grant dollars were awarded to the city of Big Rapids for a skatepark project, to Gaylord to develop a new art corridor, and to Hart to support their new initiative called The Hart Project.
“The Put Your Town on the Map pitch competition provides Michigan communities a huge opportunity to work on transformational projects, and I’d encourage all small and rural towns to submit their big ideas,” said Jessie Black, Big Rapids Community Economic Development Specialist, who won the first-place prize at last year’s competition. “We were so grateful to receive this funding from the Consumers Energy Foundation because it enabled us to move ahead with plans for the new Big Rapids skatepark.”
The Put Your Town on the Map competition seeks to reward innovative ideas that attract visitors to downtowns, advance housing, education or employment, cultivate community pride and more. Community leaders can learn more and apply here.
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