Durand
population 1,443
Completed MAPPING in 2013
- Created a community theme of “Discover Durand Charm” and had a logo created.
- Applied for and received federal non-profit (501 C3) status.
- Started Friday Night Frenzy, which is held the first Friday of each month and encourages shopping and socialization downtown. Businesses stay open until 8:00 PM and family friendly entertainment is provided.
- Filled empty storefront windows with information about community events & installed Durand Business District signs.
- In order to increase school and community collaboration, they partnered with the local paper to include a story about the local school in each weekly edition.
- Held an alumni football game as a fundraiser and generated more than $4,300 for community projects.
- Hosted a Peace Corps Fellow (Matt Wolf) to help with implementation of MAPPING goals and hired him in 2015 as director for Durand Charm.
- Started an adopt-a-pot program to beautify downtown.
- Fulfilled the need for a public library, by staffing the school library and expanding hours and programming to utilize it as a public library as well.
- Received a grant of $15,815 to establish a sound garden (musical play equipment) in a local park.
- Commissioned a mural featuring local history (pictured above).
- Applied for and received a USDA RBEG grant for $85,000 with a cash match by the City of Durand for an additional $85,000. The grant funds were used to beautify the business district.
- Organized a number of community education classes
- Collaborated with the City of Durand on a new city website.
- Installed new ‘Welcome to Durand’ signs.