$50,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – The village of Manchester will gain a much-needed indoor market and café through a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Acorn Farmers’ Market and Cafe announced today. The campaign is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by September 10, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/acorn .

“The Acorn Farmers’ Market and Café will bring vitality and a sense of place to Manchester, while also increasing economic activity and supporting local farmers and food entrepreneurs,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Michele Wildman. “We are pleased to bring this space to life and provide resources for this effort through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

The nonprofit Acorn Farmers’ Market and Café was founded by an all-volunteer board of directors in early February 2019 after the closure of Manchester’s only grocery store. Acorn seeks to create an innovative, local fresh food market and community gathering space that provides access to fresh food and supports the economic viability of area farmers by promoting education, collaboration, and entrepreneurship. The crowdfunding campaign will help fund renovations and the purchase of equipment needed for the operations of the market.

“The Public Spaces Community Places matching grant through the MEDC is allowing our local community effort to leverage support by residents of our project to have double the impact,” said Acorn Farmers’ Market and Café Board of Directors Secretary Theresa Herron. “The MEDC matching grant is helping us to build the final momentum needed to complete our project and open our doors. Once completed, Acorn Farmers' Market and Café will become a renewing resource of fresh and local food, learning opportunities and connection for our community for years to come.”

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which 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, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan .

“Creating inviting public gathering spaces is key to great placemaking,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director of the Michigan Municipal League. “The Acorn Farmers’ Market and Café will provide a physical and social source of renewal for the community.”

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of July 1, MEDC has provided more than $7.5 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 244 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $8.7 million raised from 44,141 individual donors.

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