Announcing the GM on Main Street Grant Recipients

The GM on Main Street Grant Program has awarded five $50,000 grants to nonprofit organizations and municipal government entities near GM facilities, including four Main Street programs, to implement innovative placemaking initiatives in their local districts. Last year, the program awarded six $25,000 grants – see the list of grantees here.

Made possible by General Motors, this grant program prioritized applications that were place-making focused, innovative, inclusive, prioritize pedestrian safety , and replicable or easily scalable for other Main Street programs.

“GM on Main Street has become a catalyst for place-based progress in our hometowns and communities across the U.S.,” said Heidi Magyar, executive director of Corporate Giving at GM. “We’re proud to work with Main Street America as they help connect resources to these important and worthy nonprofit and municipality projects.”

The 2024 GM on Main Street grantees are:

City of Bowling Green | Bowling Green, Kentucky

One of the sites for the City of Bowling Green’s Downtown BGKY Placemaking initiative project, the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center. Photo submitted by City of Bowling Green.

The City of Bowling Green has been awarded a GM on Main Street grant for their Downtown BGKY Placemaking Initiative project. This project includes the installation of creative, branded traffic signal cabinet vinyl wraps throughout the downtown district that showcase local graphic design work. Not only will the wraps beautify the district, but they will also deter vandalism and create a stronger sense of place by showcasing the downtown’s unique style and energy. Another project component includes the installation of crosswalk art in front of two downtown venues, the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center and the Bowling Green Hot Rods Ballpark, with artwork thematically matching each destination. The third and final project tenet is the creation of a downtown parking structure wayfinding wall maps. Using a local graphic artist and the Downtown BGKY branding, these 8-foot square vinyl maps will present an aerial view of the Downtown footprint illustrated with landmark and major venue locations, to give those using the parking structure the means to identify their own sense of direction.

City of Columbia | Columbia, Tennessee

The Columbia Infrastructure and Greenspace Improvement project will add curb extensions, greenspace, and an informational kiosk to downtown Columbia, Tennessee. Photo submitted by the City of Columbia.

The City of Columbia, a Main Street America accredited community, has been awarded a GM on Main Street grant for their Columbia Infrastructure and Greenspace Improvement project, which will create a safer, more pedestrian-friendly downtown district through infrastructure and greenspace improvements.

Although the City of Columbia has an attractive and vibrant downtown, improvements are needed to provide safer conditions for pedestrians and motorists while creating an enhanced placemaking experience. The proposed Columbia Infrastructure and Greenspace Improvements Project will include curb extensions, increased greenspace, and an informational kiosk. The improvements are meant to increase safety for downtown pedestrians and motorists, create more greenspaces and passive areas for downtown visitors to enjoy, and to create a stronger sense of place by highlighting Columbia’s unique down businesses, attractions, and history.

City of Hapeville | Hapeville, Georgia 

Through the Arts District Signage project, the City of Hapeville will install wayfinding signage designed by local artists. Photo submitted by the City of Hapeville.

The City of Hapeville, a Main Street America member organization, has been awarded a GM on Main Street grant for their Arts District Signage project. The project combines Hapeville’s goal of preserving and celebrating its small-town charm and history with its ambition to become a major arts destination in the metro Atlanta area. The project consists of the fabrication and installation of two signs that will celebrate the Hapeville arts district. Each of these signs will be an original work of art created from sculpted metal and neon. Their design will harken back to Hapeville’s past and its extensive collection of buildings from the early 1900s. While wayfinding signage is commonly found in communities across America, this project will be a public art project that is a unique expression of Hapeville’s history and its future aspirations.

One sign will be in front of the recently completed home for the Atlanta Printmakers Studio (APS) and point to the rest of the downtown arts district. The APS building is a historic gas station that was painstakingly restored through a partnership between the City of Hapeville and the Hapeville Development Authority. The arts district sign in front will honor the style of the building while also creating a new visual focal point at a major downtown intersection.

The second sign will be at the entrance to the Arts Alley in downtown Hapeville. The Arts Alley was formerly a blighted and rarely used service drive behind the historic downtown buildings. Over the past decade, numerous projects have transformed it into the active heart of downtown Hapeville. This sign will be stylistically similar to the sign in front of the Atlanta Printmakers Studio and will provide additional color, excitement, and whimsy in the Arts Alley.

Holly Downtown Development Authority | Holly, Michigan  

The Beautify Holly Battle Alley Social District and Ganshaw Park project will add trees, tree planters, benches, and trash cans to two community gathering spaces. Photo submitted by the Holly Downtown Development Authority.

The Holly Downtown Development Authority, a Main Street America accredited community, has been awarded a GM on Main Street grant for their Beautify Holly Battle Alley Social District and Ganshaw Park projects. Battle Alley is a pedestrian-only social district in Holly’s downtown that offers an accessible and free place for community members and visitors to gather, enjoy events, and more. The grant funding will allow for beautification upgrades such as tree planters, benches, and trash cans.

In 2022, the downtown suffered a devastating fire that destroyed or damaged a number of trees in the area, so part of the funds will go towards planting trees in nearby Ganshaw Park, as well as adding tree planters and trees to the Battle Alley Social District.

Main Street Pontiac | Pontiac, Michigan  

 The now vacant site of the Saginaw Green Maker Village project in Pontiac, Mich., which will be transformed into a local maker retail destination and event space. Photo submitted by Main Street Pontiac.

Main Street Pontiac, a Main Street member organization, has been awarded a GM on Main Street grant for their Saginaw Green Maker Village project. The Saginaw Green Maker Village seeks to transform the Saginaw Green "park" owned by Main Street Pontiac where a building was destroyed by fire in the past. The space would be populated by up to eight garden sheds with power added to the sheds and park overall.

Additional elements would be added to the park setting such as string lights, planters, wireless music system, and seating to create a festive and active atmosphere.

Saginaw Green Maker Village is intended to become a hub of activity year-round. The sheds will be leased through an application process at low cost to food and retail makers of Pontiac based products and wares, and various activities would be programmed at the location such as music and children's games to create a welcoming and community public space. 

Find more information about the GM on Main Street grant program.