File Photo

ROGERS CITY — Rogers City has been awarded a $25,000 Main Street Vibrancy Grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. for improvements in its downtown.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the funding in a press release on Thursday.

The MEDC issued eight grants totalling $200,000 to eight Main Street communities and Rogers City intends to use its portion for a Rogers City-inspired mural, as well as installation of benches, bike racks and repair stations.

Michigan Main Street assists communities interested in revitalizing and preserving their traditional commercial districts. It also provides tools, funding, and consulting help with a focus on revitalization strategies designed to attract new residents, business investments, economic growth and job creation to their central business districts.

Alex Harimoto, Rogers City Main Street/DDA executive director, said the money will help make it easier for people to get around downtown and add amenities too.

“Our community is so appreciative for this opportunity from the State to enhance our downtown vibrancy and promote the Main Street program,” he said. “Our three-piece project incorporates all four points of the Main Street approach in a visible, tangible, and impactful way that focuses on improving the pedestrian and cyclist experience for all residents and visitors.”

Whitmer said thriving downtowns lead to job production and help with economic development, which hopefully lead to addressing the housing shortage many cities face.

“Thriving, attractive downtowns are crucial to attracting talent, workers, and small businesses so we can grow our economy,” Whitmer said in the press release. “Today’s investments in main streets across Michigan will improve quality of life, drive economic growth, and support good-paying jobs. Let’s keep working together to lower the cost of housing, invest in community spaces, and make our cities and towns better places to live, work, invest, and play.”

Rogers City was chosen as a Michigan Main Street Select-Level community in the fall of 2021 and is only one of nine with the Select Level status.

Michelle Parkkonen, managing director of technical assistance programs at the MEDC, praised the work the Main Street communities have done and believes the grant funds can further improve the communities for residents and visitors.

“These communities have all worked diligently to enhance the sense of place and vibrancy in their downtowns, engage residents and businesses, and drive economic growth,” she said in the release. “Today’s Vibrancy grants reflect our efforts to create a holistic, people-first approach to economic development here in Michigan, and will help further strengthen the downtowns and commercial districts in these communities while also building unique places where people want to live, work, visit, and play.”