METS AND MCEP: A HISTORY OF SERVING COMMUNITY NEEDS
The Macomb Cultural and Economic Partnership is rooted deeply in half a century of nonprofit activities that have served the Macomb County community in a variety of ways.
In July 1974, Macomb Essential Transportation Service (METS) was incorporated as a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Mildred Stark, Lee Tyler, David Evans, Jane Dixon Michael Cory, David Bonior, and Gail Laufle identified a community need and created METS to transport the elderly, handicapped and disabled in Mount Clemens and Clinton Township.
METS began as a stand-alone transportation operation with two vans for transit and its own dispatch system for the Mount Clemens/Clinton Township area. Then METS operated as part of the Southeast Michigan Transportation Authority (SMART) running the same transportation service for the area.
When Mount Clemens residents voted to create their own Dial-a-Ride program, METS continued to provide service in Clinton Township and offered new service in Harrison Township.
Over time, METS identified a new community need and evolved into an independent operation that transported developmentally disabled group home and workshop clients. The program expanded to meet the need and grew into a 40-bus operation that ultimately served all of Macomb County for the same purpose. Local contracts funded that operation until ending the service in 2008/2009.
Over its 35 years of operation, METS has had three Directors who we owe much to for their diligent and effective use of financial resources: Nancy Kidney, Terry Almquist and Doug King.
2009 – METS BECOMES MCEP: A NEW NAME, A CONTINUING COMMITMENT
With the loss of transportation related funding, the METS Board of Directors explored new ways of serving the community. Impacts from the Economic Crisis of 2008 led the Board to decide that Macomb County needed to open itself to the world. A decision was made to transition from serving the community as a transportation-based program to serving the area by promoting economic development, through culture and economic partnerships.
On Jan. 23, 2009 METS officially changed its name and focus to become the Macomb Cultural and Economic Partnership. (MCEP)
FOREIGN STUDENTS AND INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL = ECONOMIC GROWTH
MCEP developed an international program hosting over 800 foreign students in two initiatives, a two-week summer program and a more extensive three-month program that provided exposure to the US legal system. During this period, MCEP developed links with over 15 foreign Universities. The student visitors helped the local restaurant, entertainment, and retail economy and MCEP funds helped support the struggling real estate market purchasing their Mount Clemens office and student housing.
Simultaneously, MCEP also established a foreign travel program for over 600 students, educators, and individual people from Michigan. In visits to Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Austria, Canada, China, Cuba. Travelers discovered the culture, history and arts of each country and brought new ideas and concepts back to Macomb. The global pandemic resulted in the end of the student and travel programs. See Macomb Daily Article 24 August 2013.
Just before the pandemic disrupted almost everything, MCEP partnered with the Art Authority of Macomb County and the Detroit Institute of Arts to create a unique presentation of replications of art works in storefronts throughout downtown Mount Clemens, with group tours and presentations. The project created a welcomed serendipitous opportunity, even during the darkest days of COVID 19, for residents to walk outdoors and enjoy art in a safe environment. See C&G Article_06OCT21.
GROWING BEAUTY: THE SCULPTURE WALK, POLLINATOR PARK AND GARDENS
In 2018 MCEP began the project that has become our current signature focus. Our first Sculpture program began with 8 rented sculptures. Now in our 7th year, we have 35 sculptures, with a growing number of sculptures, part of a permanent collection. MCEP Sculpture Initiative is the largest outdoor sculpture show in Macomb County. Group and self-guided walking tours are available electronically at the MCEP website 2024-2025 Sculptures along with the printed maps in front of the small box at 92 NB Gratiot, as well as the Pollinator Park and the Bonior Tree.
In 2023, MCEP purchased a vacant lot and created a community favorite, Pollinator Park. It features seven sculptures including three 3-D pieces and the “Bee Reader” providing free featured books monthly for the young and young at heart.
The sculpture initiative has captured the imagination of the community, with businesses coming forward to sponsor and purchase sculptures and individuals and groups coming forward to volunteer their time and talent in a number of ways to help maintain small flower gardens, featuring native plants at the Bonior Tree, Pollinator Park, the US Post Office and other sculpture sites around the city. See Macomb Daily_22MAR22.
By Lesanne Burchell