Storytelling project in downtown Imlay City wins grand prize at placemaking contest for small towns

What’s happening: Plans for a public, interactive art and audio installation in downtown Imlay City were strong enough to win first place in a placemaking competition reserved for Michigan’s small towns and rural communities. The annual Put Your Town on the Map pitch competition from the Consumers Energy Foundation awarded a total of $50,000 to the top three finalists at an event held at the Small Town and Rural Development Conference on Monday, April 29.

What it is: The Consumers Energy Foundation’s Put Your Town on the Map pitch competition launched in 2019 as a placemaking contest for small towns – with a maximum population of up to 10,000 residents – throughout the state’s lower peninsula. Placemaking projects in Fennville, Reed City, and Harbor Beach took home first, second, and third place prizes, respectively, at last year’s competition in 2023.

Why it’s important: “The passion displayed by these participants underscores how meaningful funding like this can be to truly grow and strengthen our small communities,” says Angela Thompkins, chief diversity officer and vice president of community affairs for Consumers Energy, who served as emcee for this year’s competition. “We look forward to seeing how the projects will benefit their region and enhance placemaking within their communities.”

Who won: A planned interactive storytelling project that incorporates visual art and audio in downtown Imlay City won the $25,000 first place prize at this year’s competition. A public art sculpture in Rogers City won $15,000 for second place. And community artistic benches in St. Johns won $10,000 for third place.

What they’re saying: “Imlay City is thrilled to be recognized as an innovative leader in putting our city on the map from Consumers Energy,” says Christine Malzahn, Imlay City Executive DDA Director.

“As the first-place winner, receiving the $25,000 award for our placemaking community storytelling project, we are excited to bring together our community collaborators to showcase our historical figures, current contributors, and future leaders. Our storytelling project gives purpose to where we’ve been, what we’ve achieved and the path forward to a thriving community. With the help from this funding, we are one step closer and more eager than ever to share it with the world.”

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