THOMPSONVILLE, Mich., May 1, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- The Consumers Energy Foundation announced the
winners of the Put Your Town on the Map pitch competition today,
with three Michigan communities
winning a total of $50,000 to help
complete projects that will strengthen economic development and
grow their region. The winners were Imlay
City in first place with a $25,000 grant, Rogers
City in second with $15,000,
and St. Johns in third with
$10,000 for their respective
projects.
"The passion displayed by these participants underscores how
meaningful funding like this can be to truly grow and strengthen
our small communities," said Angela
Thompkins, chief diversity officer and vice president of
community affairs for Consumers Energy, who served as emcee for
this year's competition. "We look forward to seeing how the
projects will benefit their region and enhance placemaking within
their communities."
The winning projects are:
1. First Place — Imlay
City (Lapeer County) for a
public interactive art and audio display, $25,000
2. Second Place — Rogers
City (Presque Isle County)
for a public art sculpture, $15,000
3. Third Place — St. Johns
(Clinton County) for community
artistic benches
"Imlay City is thrilled to be
recognized as an innovative leader in putting our city on the map
from Consumers Energy," said Christine
Malzahn, Imlay City Executive DDA Director. "As the
first-place winner, receiving the $25,000 award for our placemaking community
storytelling project, we are excited to bring together our
community collaborators to showcase our historical figures, current
contributors, and future leaders. Our storytelling project
gives purpose to where we've been, what we've achieved and the path
forward to a thriving community. With the help from this funding,
we are one step closer and more eager than ever to share it with
the world."
The winners, selected by the Consumers Energy Foundation and the
Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM), made their pitches at the
Small Town and Rural Development Conference on April 29. The competition was started by
Consumers in 2019, and in 2023, grant dollars were awarded to
Fennville to install bilingual
community wayfinding signs, Reed
City for the Crossroads Recreation Connection, and
Harbor Beach to expand community
gardening.
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 2023, the Consumers Energy Foundation, Consumers
Energy, its employees and retirees contributed more than
$11 million to Michigan nonprofits. For more
information, visit www.ConsumersEnergy.com/foundation.
For more information about Consumers Energy, go to
ConsumersEnergy.com.
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Media
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SOURCE Consumers Energy