Main Street America and General Motors announced the recipients of their GM on Main Street Grant Program, awarding six $25,000 place-making grants to nonprofit organizations and municipal government entities across the country. FireFish Arts, based in Lorain, Ohio was among the grantees, for their Alley Project, Broadway’s Back Door.
“We are so excited to work with Main Street Lorain, surrounding businesses, local artists, and community youth and members to bring this vision to life,” says Joan Perch, FireFish Artistic Director.
FireFish Arts plan to open the Alley Project in stages, starting in June and continuing through to the FireFish Festival on September 16.
Drawing from previous successful pop-up events hosted by FireFish Arts and others in that space, the Alley Project creates a permanent arts and community gathering space between 5th and 6th streets. The project includes a mural designed by local artist Bob Peck with AR/VR elements created in collaboration with students at Lorain County Community College, an installation of mixed herb, vegetable, and garden pots incorporating local art, and the permanent installation of several temporary murals designed by Ryan Craycraft, Jeff Pye, and ACES youth program participants. Regular programming with include summer Fire It Up Fridays @ the Alley Project.
In 2022, General Motors and Main Street America created the grant program to fund innovative placemaking initiatives in local commercial districts near GM facilities. Grantees were selected based on the project’s placemaking focus, innovation and creativity, inclusivity, feasibility, and replicability.
“General Motors is proud to have collaborated with Main Street America to support nonprofits and municipal government entities as they introduce place-making projects in their local communities,” said Terry Rhadigan, GM Vice President of Corporate Giving. “We look forward to seeing these inclusive, innovative projects come to life over the coming months for each of these communities to enjoy.”
The GM on Main Street Awardees include:
- The Alley Project: Broadway’s Back Door | Lorain, Ohio
- Mejorar Marine Park | Tarrant, Texas
- Little 5 Points Plaza Patio | Fulton, Georgia
- A New Vision for Historic Dorr Street | Lucas, Ohio
- Foodie Commons | Flint, Michigan
- Dave Grohl Alley Improvement Project | Trumball, Ohio
To learn more about the GM on Main Street grant program and the grantees, click here: