Crowdfunding campaign launched for the ‘Marine City Beach FUN Raiser’

$10,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC and MSHDA’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

Lansing, Mich. – The Marine City Public Beach will receive much needed improvements including additional sand, fencing, playground equipment, and more through a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan State Housing Development Authority and Marine City announced today. The campaign is being offered through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. 

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $10,000 by June 20, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MSHDA and MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: www.Patronicity.com/MarineCityBeach

“Public Spaces Community Places is a great tool to help raise funding for community projects,” said MEDC Community Development Director Katharine Czarnecki. “We are pleased to be able to direct resources and partner in efforts like this to increase recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.”

“A safe and inviting beach in a downtown community is a truly unique asset,” MSHDA Executive Director Kevin Elsenheimer said. “Improving Marine City’s beach will attract families, community friends and visitors to the area.”

Money raised through the crowdfunding campaign will go towards the Marine City beach located in its downtown. Funds will be used for the following improvements and more: Restroom renovations, additional beach sand, privacy fence, signage, buoys, security, playground equipment, and supplies. All dollars raised will go into an earmarked account in the Marine City Parks and Recreation Department to be used only for the beach with any surplus money rolling over into the next year’s beach fund.

“Creating vibrant spaces, or placemaking, is often about capitalizing on existing assets in a community and the beach is most certainly a vital asset in Marine City,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director of the Michigan Municipal League. “A successful crowdfunding effort by Marine City supporters will continue to make the beach a point of pride for years to come.”

“Marine City Public Beach is one of a kind in this area. It is a wonderful source of fun and recreation for thousands of people each year. Up to now it has been maintained and made available at no charge to the public. This fundraiser will help make some much needed improvements while keeping the access free to the public,” said Marine City Mayor Raymond Skotarczyk. “I know that it will be a great success especially when people realize that Patronicity will match their donation dollars. I’d like to thank Gary Kohs and Laura Scaccia (of the Mariner Theater) for organizing this and encourage everyone to donate generously.” 

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, MSHDA, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity where 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, non-profits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy.

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.