10/22/2025
Thank you to everyone who helped make last night’s Town Hall a success!
A special thank-you to Swanton Chamber Director Delray Busch, Julia Benfield from Benfield Wines, Stephanie Fessenden for serving as timekeeper, and last but not least, Dave and Pam Mills for hosting at the beautiful Birchwood Meadows.
While in-person attendance was low, the enthusiasm and dedication from the candidates—both current and new—running for Village Council was inspiring. Each candidate brought their own vision for what the future of Swanton looks like, and that kind of engagement is what keeps our community moving forward.
My main takeaway from the evening: even though we strive to be as transparent as possible, it’s clear that we can always do more to communicate the “why” behind the work being done.
For example:
The Village is awaiting the opening of Brownfield Grant funding to acquire the former dry cleaner property downtown.
We have filed for eminent domain on the Elks building, which will allow us to apply for Land Bank Demolition Grant funding through the county and state.
Memorial Park has seen major improvements—most notably, the ditch was filled to create new greenspace a few years ago, a project that was first discussed back in 2015. At that time, it was quoted at roughly $24,000 for a private company to complete. Through strong collaboration between Swancreek Township, the Village of Swanton, and the Corn Festival Committee, the cost was reduced to just materials—under $15,000—covered by the Corn Festival Committee.
While a master plan sounds ideal, a plan without funding and succession is just a document. We all want the best for our parks—bathrooms at Pilliod Park, new ball diamonds, pickleball and basketball courts, better roads, parking, and equipment—but all of that comes at a cost.
The Park Levy, which will need to be renewed in 2026, currently brings in less than $90,000 a year, barely enough to maintain what we have. To see new amenities or major upgrades, that levy will likely need to increase. And while grants can help, most require a local funding match—for perspective, of the $250,000 playground project, the Village only received a $20,000 NatureWorks grant, which barely covered the concrete walk.
What needs to start happening is a simple ask to our local businesses and community members. I know our businesses already get asked for sponsorships and donations on a regular basis—but what if we created a Park Improvement Grant Program similar to our Downtown Façade and Sidewalk Grant?
Here’s what that could look like:
Businesses and residents raise or donate a set amount, and the Village matches it. For example, if it costs $30,000 to redo the basketball courts, perhaps the Village could do a 50/50 or some type of match—contributing $10,000–$15,000 instead of taking on the full cost. That’s a much more sustainable approach, and it also strengthens community ownership and pride in the improvements we all get to enjoy.
I’ve seen fundraising make a huge impact—just look at what the Rotary Club has accomplished over the years, including their $10,000 donation last year toward the future Swanton K9 Unit. That’s the power of partnership, and it’s exactly the kind of teamwork we need to keep Swanton growing in the right direction.
When it comes to retaining and attracting businesses, we must continue to think outside the box and invest in a strong marketing and succession planning.
One thing the candidates were absolutely right about—community involvement is crucial for meaningful change. Organizations like the Rotary Club have seen membership decline since 2020, and while it’s easy to blame the pandemic, real change starts with the person in the mirror.
If we want a thriving community, we have to make time to get involved—to show up, volunteer, and be part of the solution. As the saying goes:
“Don’t complain about it if you’re not willing to be about it.”
Problems will always remain problems to those unwilling to be part of the solution.
Shannon Shulters
Village Administrator
Swanton Rotary President
