Contact:
Kathleen Achtenberg, MEDC
517-489-0557
[email protected]
Mike Odom
Senior Vice President- Marx Layne & Co.
734.259.9060
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 27, 2025
$45,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative
LANSING, Mich. – The Southwest Detroit Business Association (SDBA) will soon complete the build out of a cooperative kitchen, cafe space, and community space within La Joya Gardens, a new mixed-use development project. This effort will be fulfilled through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the SDBA announced today, which is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.
If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $45,000 by March 28th, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/cafeclark.
“La Joya Gardens and Café Clark will complete a welcoming and hyperlocal public space created by Detroit natives to meet community needs,” said MEDC Regional Prosperity Managing Director Paula Holtz. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”
This new space will become a cornerstone of the Southwest Detroit community engagement and collaboration, vital for the continued growth and support of the local neighborhood in Southwest Detroit. This campaign will allow SDBA to complete the community kitchen and community cafe, Café Clark.
Café Clark will fill the need for a cafe that serves as a community gathering space and is the brain child of lifelong locals Melisa Hernandez and Eduardo Salas. Café Clark will serve as a community space for residents of Southwest Detroit, providing traditional coffee menu items, offering breakfast and lunch items, as well as an expansive space where community residents can meet and connect. La Joya Gardens is excited to bring this community space, a coffee shop, and close a void felt when the area lost Cafe Con Leche, a neighborhood favorite coffee shop.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Public Spaces Community Places program, which will help bring the La Joya Gardens Community Space and Café Clark to life,” said Laura Chavez-Wazeerud-Din, President & CEO of Southwest Detroit Business Association. “The funds raised through this campaign, along with the MEDC’s matching grant, will help us create a space that fosters creativity, entrepreneurship, and community connection in Southwest Detroit. We look forward to launching this initiative and are thankful for MEDC’s continued dedication to revitalizing neighborhoods across Michigan.”
Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits, and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.
“Mixed-use developments like we’re seeing in the La Joya Gardens are a wonderful way to foster collaboration and connection within communities,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal League. “This project will create a versatile and dynamic ‘third space’ that will elevate the vibrancy and culture of Southwest Detroit.”
The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of January 21, 2025, MEDC has provided more than $13.6 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 397 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $15.4 million raised from 73,843 individual donors. Communities have a 97 percent success rate in achieving their goals and earning matching funds.
About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
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