DDA shines light on Imlay City

On a large screen, center stage, a sampling of videos played. A crowd of 50 or so people watched intently. The videos were well done, those speaking were sincere, emotional and at times humorous.

Bob Conrad spoke of healing emotionally and physically from his military service in Vietnam. Denise Kovacik remarked, “we all come home sooner or later, Imlay City is a special place.” Kirsten Clark told her story why she chose Imlay City to open her business. These three and dozens more are “I AM Imlay City storytellers.”

This past Monday evening, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) invited guests to share in the “Big Reveal” ceremony for the “I AM Imlay City” project at the Performing Arts Center at Imlay City High School. It was a special evening that made Imlay City and its residents shine.

DDA Executive Director, Christine Malzahn spearheaded the project. The winner taking home $25,000 from Consumers Energy, through their Community Giving Program. The project started about a year ago as a means to create community engagement. Nearly 100 communities made their bid for the top spot which eventually was earned by Christine and Imlay City.

“These are the stories that shape our lives and build our community. All of these people and many more of us all caring, striving, working, and fighting for this place, loving this place while showing us that if we look and listen to each other we will find our purpose… We are Imlay City, our story matters,” Christine wrote as part of the presentation to help win the award from Consumers.

“I’m humbled and thrilled for the support my Board gave me. I think we achieved what I hoped we would,” Christine went on to say.

Recently many of the community members recruited to be “I AM Imlay City” storytellers can be seen on banners located throughout downtown Imlay City. Making use of today’s technology each banner has a QR code allowing residents to log into a YouTube site to experience the videos created to explain why they participated in the project. You can also visit www.icdda.com to see the videos.

There were some very kind words spoken about Imlay City, its residents, the schools and the businesses. It felt good and helped boost my pride in a community I have called home since 1980.

Dr. Stu Cameron was the Keynote Speaker at the ceremony. Dr. Cameron has been in the school district of Imlay City as a teacher, coach and now Superintendent for 30 years.

“Our students are outstanding young people. That didn’t happen by accident,.They are outstanding because of the culture of this community. You’ve heard it takes a village to raise a child. That’s what happens in Imlay City,” Dr. Cameron said.

“I have had other opportunities to go elsewhere in my career, but why? I won’t find better students, parents or a community any better to work in than this one,” he continued.

“From day one, the people in this community have been kind to me and they have been supportive. I’m not sure I would find that in other places. I chose to stay in Imlay City,” Dr. Cameron concluded.

I understood exactly what Dr. Cameron was saying, because I too, found Imlay City to be a kind and great place to live and work. Kim and I came here in 1980 and from day one, this community has been supportive and continues to be supportive of our businesses and us.

There are many needs in this community and of course things that could be done better, which is true in any communities. In my forty-five years here in Imlay City, like Dr. Cameron said, “I chose to stay in Imlay City.”

Job well done Christine and our DDA.