Downtown Pitch Competition - Mt. Pleasant

We're thrilled to be hosting the first Downtown Pitch Competition for Mt. Pleasant, an effort to bring amazing ideas for our downtown to life. Through a competitive pitch competition, ideas will be presented, developed, and ultimately showcased at a community event in November, 2022. 

The competition will fund three projects that enhance the vibrancy of our incredible downtown district, with over $15,000 of total funding provided by community sponsors who believe in the value of downtown Mt. Pleasant.

$10,000 for Business Vibrancy

Downtown businesses can pitch ideas for how to enhance their business in ways that improve the overall downtown experience. Funds can be used in any of the following ways, but are not limited to these:

• Technical Assistance
• Interior Building Renovation
• Permanent or semi-permanent activation for outdoor space
• Permanent or semi-permanent business infrastructure related to COVID-19 recovery efforts
• General marketing and/or technology

Expenses that are not eligible include: exterior improvements that could be considered as general maintenance, repairs, landscaping, or other non-place-based outdoor activation, employee wages, salaries or benefits, rent, mortgage, land contract or building lease payments, utilities, leases for equipment, vehicle leases, vehicle payments, taxes, interest or insurance, professional fees, federal, state, or local application, licensing, permit or similar fees, bank or other lender financing, interest, inspection fees or costs, credit card processing fees, property acquisition, projects on residential property, or any other capital expenditure (including soft costs) deemed ineligible at sole discretion of the MMDC. 

$5,000 for Community Vibrancy

Have you seen another community do something that you would like to see in downtown Mt. Pleasant? Have you always imagined that "it would be nice to have..." in our downtown? Now is your opportunity to share your amazing ideas!

Individuals with ideas that enrich our downtown can have their winning idea put into effect through collaborations with municipal, downtown, and other community partners. Ideas could include events, downtown beautification, or installments of amenities and features--anything that makes coming to and staying in downtown more attractive and enticing.

Potential ideas include things like the following:

• An event that encourages people visiting downtown
• A public amenity that would benefit visitors to downtown (ie benches, bike racks, flower boxes, etc)
• A pop-up retail experience
• A place-based improvement project (murals, public art installations, etc)

$1,000 for People's Choice

Ideas will be shared publicly so that a popular vote can occur and additional funds can be put toward the most-supported concept.

Key Dates

1. June 20 : Business Vibrancy Application Info and Q&A Session (Morning Option)
2. June 23: Business Vibrancy Application Info and Q&A Session (Evening Option)
3. July 7: Community Vibrancy Application Info and Q&A Session (Evening Option)
4. July 12: Community Vibrancy Application Info and Q&A Session (Morning Option)
5. July 14: Initial Applications Due
6. October 19: All Pitch Presentations Due
7. November, Date TBD: Public Pitch Event

Competition Process: Illustrated

Competition Process: Step-by-Step

Onboarding and Orientation to Program

To ensure that applicants are welcomed into the program and equitably informed as to its expectations, processes, and timelines, MMDC will host welcome meetings and Q&A sessions.

Business Vibrancy Sessions

When: June 20th at 10AM and June 23rd at 6PM
Where: MMDC Downtown Office at 200 E Broadway in Mt. Pleasant

Community Vibrancy Sessions

When: July 7th at 6PM and July 12 at 10AM
Where: MMDC Downtown Office at 200 E Broadway in Mt. Pleasant

Vision Casting and Application:

Applicants will submit ideas that improve Downtown Mt. Pleasant’s vitality and richness
When: Applications are due July 14

Crafting the Vision and Delivering the Pitch

Participants will craft and refine their pitches over the course of three phases, with final deliverables presented by mid-October, 2022. Using the competition’s pitch template, participants will craft strong slide shows and compelling narratives that inspire evaluators and demonstrate operational and functional strategies.
When: Ongoing through mid-October. Pitch due October 19.

Public Pitch Event

In November, top finalists will participate in the Downtown Pitch – Mt. Pleasant showcase. The live event will be open to the public as a fun and inspiring occasion in which Mt. Pleasant community members can gather to support innovation and our Downtown. Pitches will receive funding according to evaluator assessments, a community vote, and any private contributions that may be offered.
When: TBD, November
Where: Broadway Theater, Downtown Mt. Pleasant

Questions about this Program?

If you have questions for us, please reach out to Middle Michigan Development Corporation:

Phone: 989-772-2858
Fax: 989-773-2115

For the full terms and guidelines, click the button below.

Terms & Guidelines

This program could not have happened without generous support and sponsorship!

Funds provided in part by the Sherwood Family Fund, Elizabeth Z. Miller & Bruce H. LaPointe Community Needs Fund, Staples Family Fund, Jane McNamara and Louise Williams Fund, and Myler Family Community Impact Fund of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation.