Copper Shores Community Health Foundation Contributes a $10,000 Grant Toward Hancock’s Purchase of the Ryan Street Community Gardens

Hancock will soon complete a purchase of the Ryan Street Gardens thanks to a grant from the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and the community who supported the action through a crowdfunding campaign. Last night the city council accepted the city’s grant award of ten thousand dollars from the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation. The grant funds will help cover a significant portion of the 27,000 dollar price tag for the Ryan Street Community Gardens.

“The Ryan Street gardens did also reach their six thousand dollar crowdfunding amount. So MEDC will match that. So that is 22,000 dollars that will be contributed to that purchase.” – Mary Babcock, City Manager, Hancock

The crowdfunding campaign has reached its goal of 6,000 dollars. Another 6,000 dollars for the purchase will come from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Councilor Amy Lounibos is also a member of the Ryan Street gardening group and says that the participation page will stay open for those still wanting to contribute to the community gardens.

“I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to the campaign. We were able to reach our goal for the fundraiser. And the page will stay open through the end of the sixty days. So any additional funds will probably go to some of the gardening upgrades, like a picnic bench, or a couple of things for the tool shed.” – Amy Lounibos, Councilor, City of Hancock

After the grant, crowdfunding, and matching funds from MEDC, the city itself will pay approximately 7,500 dollars to purchase the gardens. At last month’s council meeting City Manager Mary Babcock did say that the city’s portion of the purchase cost will come from the Hancock General fund.

Ryan Street Community Gardens Campaign