Small Town Enhancement Grant Program

Revitalizing Small Towns in the Lansing region

The program is funded through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and administered by LEAP.

LEAP received funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Collaborative Development Council to develop a program to provide funding to strengthen the economic vitality of small towns throughout the Clinton, Eaton and Ingham County area by providing targeted assistance for the improvement and beautification of public spaces, including historic downtown areas, community gathering places, prominently used public parks or other strategic locations in rural communities. This includes things such as creating and maintaining permanent installations that honor or celebrate small town history and/or agricultural heritage, new public art or restoration of existing piece(s), enhanced lighting, wayfinding signage, or building facade improvements to key central structure(s).

Eligibility

Eligible applicants must be a body of municipal government, and could include a quasi-governmental entity such as DDA, LDFA, etc. (Counties are not eligible applicants)
Given small town focus, municipalities are only eligible if they have fewer than 10,000 residents
Must be located in Clinton, Eaton or Ingham Counties
If a private building facade improvement project, applicant is expected to apply in partnership with building owner and any business tenants involved, with explicit support letters provided.
Historic downtown areas prominently used public parks or other strategic locations in rural communities. This may include (but is not limited to) public art additions and/or restorations, increased lighting, increased/improved wayfinding signage, and, in some cases, facade improvements made on private businesses located centrally within a community.
Project must beautify a public-facing space, including but not limited to: downtown districts, public parks, town squares, or, for facade improvements, an important site in the community
LEAP strongly encourages collaboration and partnership in this grant project.
- Municipal government may partner with DDAs/LDFAs, small businesses, and other community organizations and partners.

Read the complete Small Town Enhancement Grant Program eligibility requirements here.

Consideration Criteria

Responses will be scored on the following five key criteria:

Creativity
Community impact
Feasibility (including cost and timeline)
Letters of support
Partnership and collaboration

Funding

Total funding available: $100,000
Minimum request: $10,000
Maximum request: $25,000

Partners

Made possible in partnership with LEAP and MEDC. The review committee will be comprised of LEAP and MEDC staff.