By Sue Moore
The Vicksburg Vision Campaign has gone high-tech in soliciting for donations according to Bill Adams, village president and chief fundraiser. “The beauty of crowdfunding that we are initiating is that the state of Michigan through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) will match the goal we raise locally.”
This funding would be directed toward the purchase of the car wash at the corner of Richardson and North streets across from the Depot Museum, Adams pointed out. “The goal is to raise $32,500 in 30 days, beginning November 20. If we are successful, MEDC and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) will fund the other half to get us to our goal of $65,000 for the trailhead. We’ve prepared a video entitled “A Green Vicksburg” for donors to see and understand why we need this money,” Adams said. The video is located on the Nature Trailhead location at patronicity.com/project/vicksburg_nature_trailhead. The car wash site will be the start of a path connecting Vicksburg to the City of Portage with a walking and biking trail for all to enjoy.
The maximum amount that can be contributed by any one person is $10,000. Adams is hoping that we see a large community turnout that contributes and gets involved in transforming Vicksburg with this first project. The site explains that nearly 135 years ago, Vicksburg began with a dream by John Vickers and his single grist mill. Today, the Village has grown to be a dynamic community that continually drives forward, embraces its citizens, and offers a welcoming, friendly experience for visitors. It’s time, the site points out, to continue moving Vicksburg toward the future, while embracing its heritage and family-oriented values.
The first project, the Trailhead for the Vicksburg Nature Trail, is part of the Vicksburg Downtown Development (DDA) Placemaking effort. This effort began with a public visioning session, where the community strongly expressed its desire for a trail that would connect its downtown district and recreational assets with other communities. Implementation of this $126,000 piece of the plan is being funded through the Vicksburg Vision Capital Campaign which will be used to leverage matching grant dollars.