EAST LANSING, Mich. — The City of East Lansing, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) will be hosting an “EL Going Green” Crowdfunding Campaign launch event on Thursday, Sept. 1 at noon in downtown East Lansing’s Ann Street Plaza.
Speakers will include East Lansing City Councilmember Shanna Draheim, Amcor Sustainability Specialists Kate Reimer and Janet Skrbina and East Lansing Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Chair Peter Dewan.
Ann Street Plaza is located at the corner of Albert and M.A.C. Avenues. Members of the media and community are invited to attend.
About the “EL Going Green” Crowdfunding CampaignThe “EL Going Green” Crowdfunding Campaign, hosted through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity, seeks to raise $30,000 in community funds by Sept. 30 to support the installation of at least 20 new sets of public refuse/recycling containers and 40 new bike parking locations in downtown East Lansing.
The City of East Lansing has already received a $25,000 grant from Amcor, a global leader in responsible packaging solutions, and a $30,000 contribution from the East Lansing DDA to implement the first phase of the project, which includes the current installation of 30 sets of refuse/recycling containers in the downtown. Additional funding is necessary; however, to meet the needs throughout the entire downtown.
“Thanks to the generous support from Amcor and the DDA, we have begun our efforts to ‘green up’ downtown East Lansing,” said East Lansing City Councilmember Shanna Draheim. “With the community’s support of the crowdfunding effort, we will be able to install even more functional and beautiful new recycling and bike amenities throughout the downtown for community members to use and enjoy for years to come.”
If the “EL Going Green” Crowdfunding Campaign reaches its $30,000 goal by Oct. 14, the community dollars will be matched by a $30,000 grant made possible by MSHDA and MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program.
“Public Spaces Community Places is a tool communities can use to help create vibrant public spaces with the potential to bring new vitality to the community and serve as a catalyst for additional economic activity,” said MEDC Community Development Director Katharine Czarnecki. “This is a great way to leverage the pride residents and businesses have in their communities, while building sustainability and keeping the planet green.”
Crowdfunding campaign contributions from community members, organizations, businesses and companies are welcomed. To learn more and make a contribution, visit www.Patronicity.com/ELGreen.