“Paint the Town” application deadline is May 31 in Marine City

Grants up to $1,500 will be awarded for home improvements

By Barb Pert Templeton

Anyone looking to make improvements to their home or business in Marine City has what’s been described as “an incredible opportunity” from the Historical Society of Marine City’s Paint the Town matching grant program. Those selected will receive up to $1,500.00 in matching funds for their project. Application must be submitted by Mary 31st.

A recent meeting of the Marine City Commission has several historical society members sharing information about the program during public comments.

Sherrill Zimmer, historical society treasurer, explained the process. She said the society raises money all year long to fund the grants.

“And what we do is take the money and give it back to Marine City,” Zimmer said.

The society has been awarding the grants now for nearly 25 years and has given away over 80 grants in the city so far. In general, the awards are around $1,500 and are for paint and supplies.

Zimmer said all that residents have to do is fill out an application and it’s a matching grant program through the local Lumber Jack Building Centers.

“So, if you need $1,500 worth of paint let’s say, you can match it by doing $1,500 worth of work yourself,” Zimmer said. “We want everybody to know about this because it’s a really great program for Marine City.”

She said it really does help people do their projects which is good because the cost of paint has gone way up and this project is simply to help beautify the city.

Historical Society Vice President of Events Heather Bokram then shared some additional information about the work of the historical society. She said they are responsible for Drake Park and Watchman Park in the city including paying for winter maintenance and planting in the spring.

“We have plans to change some shrubs in Drake Park this year and we will make sure these are approved by the city before we plant them,” Bokram said.

She also shared information about the ship mosaics in the city parks all reflecting vessels built in the city in the late 1800s. She said two mosaics can be seen it each of four local parks, totaling eight mosaics to view around town.

“Probably most people here have seen some of them,” Bokram said. “They can be seen in Broadaway Park, Watchman Park, Civic Women’s Park and Drake Park and they routinely get cleaned and resealed at the end of May.”

She said the historical society continues to work on ideas and plans for old city hall at 300 Broadway, which the city currently has for sale.

“We hope to bring our plans to the city later this year in hopes of saving the building should the city fail to find a buyer by this coming December,” Bokram said.

In the meantime, society members are eager to accept applications for their “Paint the Town” program. Applications are available online at the historical society website at historicalsocietyofmarinecity.org. Matching grants awarded will be announced in early June.

The recipient can match the grant by:

1) Providing more supplies (receipts will be required)

2) In-Kind labor (description required)

3) A combination of both

The Historical Society website notes that last year they were able to award four matching grants worth $1,500.00 each. The grants are to be used to improve the exteriors of the buildings awarded. This can include paint, wood and all other exterior aspects of the house. Sometimes that could also mean new windows, steps or doors. The materials used are all from Marine City Lumber Jack Building Center where each grantee is given a credit up to $1,500.00. The homeowner will provide the labor to get the improvements made and they have one year to use the credit and complete the work.

To apply, fill out the application and mail to: Historical Society of Marine City P.O. Box 23, Marine City, MI 48039