There’s still time for supporters of Sturgis’ “Electric City” project to donate money to the cause.

As of midday Thursday, more than $11,940 of the $50,000 goal for patron funds has been contributed online by 11 patrons. Offline donations are also accepted. The Electric City fundraising campaign will end at 11:30 p.m. Monday, August 12.

“The project will include downtown lighting, a new food truck park, the creation of Electric Alley, and the completion of an interactive website for the DDA and public use,” states The Electric City Project page on Patronicity.

Sturgis’ Downtown Development Authority will utilize The Electric City Project to honor history, as well as current and new downtown areas, according to campaign information. Funds received through Patronicity will be used with money from the Newell A. and Grace F. Franks Funds. To date, the Franks Funds have committed more than $125,000 toward the effort.

“We’ve just been securing funding and getting the details squared away,” said Jeff Coney, a community development specialist with the City of Sturgis. “If all goes well, we’d like to get the lights up as early as the end of August or start of September.”

Installation of the downtown lighting may be completed in as little as 2-3 weeks or as long as 5-6 weeks. Coney explained it would depend on factors including weather, and right of way permits for Chicago Road issued by the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Organizers say the Electric City Project “is so much more than just lighting,” as it will:

• Install more than 2,900 lineal feet of LED lighting to accentuate the skyline of downtown Sturgis along Chicago Road
• Create a new food truck park with four electrical hookups, a new seating area including ADA-compliant picnic tables, and the beautifucation of the old pumphouse including new lighting, paint, and murals on its east and west sides
• Establish The Electric Alley, which will include new outdoor seat areas, lighting attractions between the neighboring buildings, and a public art installation
• Fund the creation of a DDA website, which will include QR codes located at all public art and historical sites throughout downtown Sturgis. The QR codes will be linked to the DDA website and an interactive map to encourage exploring more than 25 locations in the district

“Sturgis will be the first in the state to use this style of lighting at this scale,” according to The Electric City Project. “The only other example is in Terrell, Texas.”

Elizabeth Denman, owner of Willer’s Shoes in Sturgis, is on both the DDA board and the Electric City design committee. She said she is impressed by not only the amount of public enthusiasm and interest, but how the State of Michigan is getting involved.

If The Electric City Project hits its $50,000 goal, every dollar that is donated will be matched by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). This is made possible through a grant program called “Public Spaces Community Places.”

“That is going to be a huge offset for some of those costs,” Denman said.

Anyone wishing to donate offline by cash or check can do so by making or mailing donations to Sturgis DDA, attention Downtown Lighting, at 130 N. Nottawa, Sturgis, MI 49091.

“This project is so helpful to downtown Sturgis,” Denman said. “It’s going to be a really good draw and it will be cool to see, as well as unique for the buildings themselves. You will get to see the details at the tops of buildings that are sometimes forgotten about or not noticed.”

Frank Stanko is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.