‘Voices of Manistee’ Finalist in Grant Competition

The “Voices of Manistee” storytelling initiative has been named one of 10 finalists in the Consumers Energy Foundation’s Put Your Town on the Map competition, which will award $50,000 in grants to three winning proposals. Spearheaded by the Community Innovation Lab, the project aims to collect and share over 20 oral histories from residents across generations, professions, and backgrounds in Manistee, Michigan.

Teri Garstka, executive director of the Community Innovation Lab, described the project as a civic storytelling effort that will document voices ranging from small business owners and artists to tribal members and newcomers. These stories will be curated into an interactive “digital story map,” allowing users to explore the narratives by location or theme online. If selected for funding, the project will also host story premieres, community listening events, and discussions aimed at building greater understanding among residents.

Garstka highlighted the community-driven nature of the project and its potential to help residents see Manistee through one another’s eyes. The project draws inspiration from historical initiatives like the Origins Walk and seeks to create a modern digital archive of local voices. In collaboration with groups like the Manistee First Congregational Church, the Lab hopes to involve a broad cross-section of the community in the project’s development.

Founded in 2025, the Community Innovation Lab is a nonprofit dedicated to helping communities turn innovative ideas into practical projects. The organization is co-led by Garstka and Meaghan Kennedy, founder of Orange Sparkle Ball.

The winners of the Consumers Energy Foundation grants—awards of $25,000, $15,000, and $10,000—will be announced after a final round of pitches during the Small Town and Rural Development Conference on June 9 at Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville.

For more details, refer to the original article on Manistee News.