Hyannis "Dress Up Downtown" Project Launches Crowdfunding Campaign
November 28, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Meggie Quackenbush, MassDevelopment, 617-330-2011 & 857-208-2777 (cell)
mquackenbush@massdevelopment.com
Jonathan Berk, Patronicity, 617-750-6008
jonathan@Patronicity.com
Elizabeth Wurfbain, Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District, 508-775-7982
elizabeth@hyannismainstreet.com
MassDevelopment and the Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District today announced a new campaign through the civic crowdfunding platform Patronicity and the Commonwealth Places initiative. The campaign aims to “Dress Up Downtown” Hyannis by installing year-round tree lights and public art through wall murals, crosswalk art and decorative utility box wraps.
If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $15,000 by January 12, 2017, at midnight, the project will win a matching grant with funds from MassDevelopment’s Commonwealth Places program. To read more about the project and to donate, visit https://www.patronicity.com/project/dress_up_downtown#/.
“This placemaking project will bring new life to Hyannis’s downtown through vibrant public art and unique lighting projects,” said MassDevelopment Vice President of Real Estate Services Amanda Maher. “We are proud to support a project that will help support Cape Cod artists and businesses alike, and spur long-term economic development in the area.”
Hyannis businesses face a unique challenge in that many local retailers struggle to keep the lights on during the fall, winter and spring months. With new stores and restaurants filling seasonal vacancies downtown, the Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District hopes this project will support developing businesses by encouraging residents and visitors to shop local during the colder winter months.
“We want to honor Main Street as the beautiful place that it should be,” said Elizabeth Wurfbain, Executive Director of the Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District. “It truly is a beautiful place, but it needs a bit of an update.”
Commonwealth Places is a collaborative initiative from MassDevelopment and Patronicity that leverages public support for placemaking projects through crowdfunding and a matching grant from MassDevelopment. The program engages residents in the development of strategic projects in their towns and cities. Communities, nonprofits and other entities can learn more and apply at www.massdevelopment.com/commonwealthplaces.
MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, works with businesses, nonprofits, financial institutions, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2016, MassDevelopment financed or managed 352 projects generating investment of more than $4 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are projected to create about 8,200 jobs and build or rehabilitate about 4,200 residential units.
