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Small Town Enhancement Grant Program

LANSING ECONOMIC AREA PARTNERSHIP

Foundation One-time Community Development Grants
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Funding Amount

Up to $25,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Small Town Enhancement Grant Program

Overview: LEAP's grant program in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) that invested in community enhancement projects across small rural towns in the tri-county region.

Status: First program cycle completed in 2025. LEAP is working to develop future iterations.

Geographic Scope: Small towns in Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties

Program Focus:
Supporting projects that:

  • Breathe new life into community spaces

  • Preserve local identity and economic potential

  • Foster pride and encourage gathering

  • Create lasting community impact

    • Completed Project Examples (First Round 2024-2025):

  • Vermontville: Historic bell tower restoration (dating back to 1862) - community gathering place revitalization

  • Maple Rapids: Phillips Cider Bar & Pizzeria façade restoration (120-year-old building) - downtown corridor reenergization

  • City of Ovid: Main Street banner enhancements

  • City of Leslie: New community pavilion installation

  • Village of Stockbridge: $25,000 grant - Transformed vacant patio area into walkable community space with relax and connection focus

    • Funding: First round invested nearly $90,000 across five rural communities

    Contact:

  • LEAP: (517) 702-3387 or info@purelansing.com

  • Website: www.purelansing.com

    • Interest for Future Rounds:
    If your community would benefit from this program, complete the interest form to begin the process.

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    Program Development:
    1. Communities express interest through official form submission
    2. LEAP hosts traveling "Small Town Road Show" to engage communities
    3. Check presentation and community engagement
    4. Project planning and development with community
    5. Grant funding deployment
    6. Project completion and ribbon-cutting celebration

    How to Express Interest:
    Complete the community interest form available through LEAP

    Contact:

  • Phone: (517) 702-3387

  • Email: info@purelansing.com

  • Visit: www.purelansing.com for more details and before/after photos of completed projects

    • Apply with Grantable Learn more

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    community-development

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