The Votes Are In!
Over the last few weeks, we’ve relied on you, the residents of Huron County, to help us identify what our communities are missing when it comes to creating vibrant, welcoming spaces that enhance quality of life for both residents and visitors.
We received 15 creative submissions during our initial call for placemaking ideas. Our Placemaking Committee carefully reviewed each proposal and helped narrow down the list to projects that were viable and close to the finish line, just needed a little extra funding to make them happen. The final seven projects, which happened to be evenly distributed across Huron County, were then presented for community voting.
Here’s a quick recap of the finalists:
Sebewaing Township Library – Proposed purchasing modular tables that can be reconfigured to support the library’s growing schedule of free art, educational, and fitness classes which provide a safe and welcoming space for people of all ages to connect and learn.
Ma Petite Fleur, Harbor Beach – Sought funding for a mural at 101 State Street by an emerging artist, reflecting the town’s rich history and culture.
City of Bad Axe Dog Park – Proposed creating a safe, off-leash area for dogs and their owners to gather, fostering both canine and community connections.
Ubly Homecoming Committee – Aimed to reintroduce youth-focused activities such as movie nights, teen dances, and basketball tournaments to help adolescents build community pride and belonging.
Village of Pigeon – Proposed a town-wide outdoor speaker system to enhance parades, announcements, and the overall downtown shopping experience.
Port Austin Artist in Residence Program – Planned community crosswalk art and arbors to enhance the Port Austin Farmers Market and public park, celebrating local art and creativity.
Port Austin “Gather and Grill” Project – Envisioned adding Adirondack chairs and grills at Veterans Park, encouraging residents and visitors to relax, cook, and connect in a welcoming outdoor space.
Community voting took place on Facebook for one week, allowing participants to “like” the projects they wanted to support. Voters could support as many projects as they wished, and there were several lead changes throughout the week.
When voting closed on November 6 at 4:00 PM, the top three projects were:
Sebewaing Township Library
Ubly Homecoming Committee
Bad Axe Dog Park
After reviewing the budgets and requested amounts for each project, the Placemaking Grant Program is pleased to announce that we are able to fully fund the top two projects: the reconfigurable tables for the Sebewaing Township Library and the teen activity initiatives proposed by the Ubly Homecoming Committee. Our office is proud to support these communities and looks forward to seeing residents benefit from these meaningful, community-driven projects.
Stay tuned for updates as these exciting community projects move forward, and thank you to everyone who participated and helped shape the future of Huron County!
