City manager admits it’s a ‘travesty’
By Barb Pert Templeton
When you have a city that’s steeped in history, including many historic homes and buildings, it’s important to keep things looking nice and that’s where the Historical Society of Marine City (HSMC) steps in.
A special project called “Paint the Town” awards grants to applicants who seek to spruce up their home or business and agree to match the $1,500 awarded from the historical society.
For 2025 the society has awarded four matching grants worth $1,500.00 each.
The grants can be used to improve the exteriors of the homes or buildings and can include paint, wood and all other exterior aspects of the house. Sometimes that could also mean new windows, steps or doors, according to the historical society website.
The materials used are all from the local Marine City Lumber Jack store 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.
Historical Society of Marine City President Brian Ross speaking at a recent city commission meeting
Application for the grant project can be found on the historical society website.
Blue Water Healthy Living caught up with HSMC President Brian Ross who in turn gathered responses to our questions about the Paint the Town project from the membership.
Blue Water Healthy Living: How long has the HSMC been hosting the “Paint the Town” grant program?
Historical Society of Marine City President Brian Ross: Since at least 2000, if not earlier.
BWHL: How did the society get the idea for the program?
Ross: Sherrill Zimmer came up with the idea as a way to help homeowners and businesses with additional money needed to beautify the exteriors of their homes or businesses. Marine City is filled with so many beautiful historic homes and buildings, which sometimes cost more to repair or beautify. This was a way to both preserve the historic charm of the city while helping participants overcome that cost gap.
BWHL: Are there always plenty of applicants or is getting the word out a challenge?
Ross: Getting the word back out after the shut down for COVID-19 has been a bit tough, but has been steadily increasing.
BWHL: Can applicants propose an outside improvement to their home that isn’t about painting?
Ross: Yes, so long as it’s for the exterior of the building. We’ve approved projects such as porches and exterior stairs (materials for these projects).
BWHL: How does the society arrive at a prize award amount each year?
Ross: Each application is evaluated by the historical society, and based on available finances, sets both the number of grants available and the dollar amount we’re able to cover for each grant
BWHL: Is providing matching dollars a must for award winners?
Ross: Yes, we do require that the recipient match the grant with either materials, labor or other supplies.
A flyer with the information about the Paint the Town project.
BWHL: Can a home or business owner receive more than one Paint the Town grant if they apply several years in a row?
Ross: Yes, this is completely permissible within the guidelines of the Grant.
BWHL: It was mentioned that the society plans to award four grants at $1,500 each this year. If there aren’t enough applicants does the money just roll over to next year’s grants?
Ross: Yes, and the following year we may be able to offer either additional grants or additional money per grant.
BWHL: After awarding the grants does the HSMC have any say in the project the homeowner plans on tackling – for example if they plan to paint their house purple and green – does the MCHS have a say or can you reject the grant award for aesthetic purposes, or no?
Ross: We only approve the scope of the project (which must be detailed in the application), not the paint color or any details of (as an example) the type of railing, pillars, porch elements etc. That’s all up to the homeowner or building owner. We are however always available for suggestions or advice should any building owner request it.
BWHL: Any idea how many Paint the Town projects have been completed in the city so far?
Ross: We’ve been able to offer our community over 80 of these grants and hope we can continue doing so for many years to come.
