Big Rapids Wins First Place in “Put Your Town on the Map Pitch” Competition

The City of Big Rapids is the 2022 first place recipient for the Consumers Energy Foundations “Put Your Town on the Map Pitch” Competition.

Michigan communities in Mecosta, Otsego and Oceana Counties submitted their ideas for projects that would help strengthen and grow their communities. The top three projects won a total of $50,000, half of which went to the winner, Big Rapids.

Big Rapids plans on using their winnings for a skatepark, which the skateboarding community has made an effort to come to fruition. The City Manager of Big Rapids says it’s been a team effort between the city and skateboarding community as a whole.

“We have a skateboard project, grassroots effort from the skating, biking community within town,” said Mark Gifford, Big Rapids City Manager. “Who really wants that to be an option for users across the community.”

Gaylord took second place, and will use its $15,000 to develop art in an alleyway.

The City of Hart took home $10,000 and that money will be used to develop tourism.