Bridgman has two more reasons to be optimistic about its future as local businesses Transient Artisan Ales and Emma Hearth and Market secured grant funding through the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) this quarter.
The grants are set to fuel new investment and continued growth in the community — a win the Greater Bridgman Area Chamber and Growth Alliance (BCGA) is proud to have played a role in. This isn’t just good news for two establishments. It’s a signal of what’s possible when local entrepreneurs, state resources, and a dedicated growth alliance align around a shared goal: building a stronger and more vibrant Bridgman.
State Dollars Fueling Local Growth
Both awards trace back to state programs designed to strengthen Michigan’s food and agriculture economy.
MDARD’s Underserved, Value-Added, Regional Food Systems, and Supply Chain Grant program provides funding to establish, retain, expand, attract, or develop value-added agricultural processing across Michigan, as well as projects that build out regional food systems or improve access to healthy food. Getting chosen for this grant is a competitive process, which makes Transient Artisan Ales’ selection all the more notable for Bridgman.
Emma Hearth and Market’s funding comes through a companion MDARD program aimed at economic development in food and agriculture — support built for exactly the kind of hands-on, farm-to-table growth the business is pursuing. Together, the two programs reflect a broader state investment strategy: rather than funding agriculture and small business separately, MDARD is betting that the two grow best together, especially in small towns where a single main-street business can anchor an entire local economy.
Brewing Up Growth on Lake Street
Transient Artisan Ales is the recipient of the Underserved, Value-Added, Regional Food Systems, and Supply Chain Grant totaling $95,000. The funding will support a feasibility study focused on redeveloping the property along Lake Street.
Plans for the project include transforming the now-vacant, former Chase Bank building and the
adjacent parking lot into a cooperative market, seasonal outdoor market, and beer garden. If realized, the development would enhance community gathering opportunities while strengthening Bridgman’s local food and beverage scene.
“We are excited at the opportunity to continue building upon the mission we put forward over 10 years ago, to create something unique and special in the area, further making Bridgman a destination for visitors, and expand what we offer and contribute to our local community,” said Chris Betts, Owner of Transient Artisan Ales. “We look forward to investing in the area that has helped us grow and has supported our dream from day one.”
Emma Hearth and Market’s Expansion Takes Root
Emma Hearth and Market has also secured a grant through MDARD totaling $100,000 for Food & Agriculture Grant Fund Program for a significant expansion project.
Owner Steve Zieverink plans to purchase and expand the business’s current location at the intersection of Lake Street and Red Arrow Highway. The project would allow for more indoor and outdoor seating, expand the market’s wine and specialty offerings, and open the door to new dining experiences for both residents and visitors. Zieverink also pointed to plans for expanding and improving the business’s outdoor growing area, where the team cultivates basil and other herbs used in its culinary creations.
“We’re really excited about this expansion project,” said Zieverink. “And this grant is really important in terms of the farm portion of what we do as it will allow us to build better infrastructure for growing.”
Where Vision Meets Support
These advancements reflect the type of community-centered development that the BCGA actively supports and advocates for throughout the region. When local businesses have the vision to invest, and organizations like the BCGA have the capacity to connect them with the right resources, the results speak for themselves: new investment, new opportunity, and a stronger regional economy.
“The Greater Bridgman Area Chamber and Growth Alliance is grateful for the resources that MDARD has contributed to the economic health of our community,” said Nancy Kiernan, Director of the BCGA. “We will continue to find opportunities to grow our own businesses with the assistance of our valued partners.”
A Blueprint for Success
The right support at the right moment, and a local team ready to make the case. That blueprint has helped fuel the CGA model’s success, and it’s a blueprint we’re proud to scale across the region.
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