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Michael Moore's Theater Gets $125,000 Upgrade Aid

TRAVERSE CITY (AP) - A foundation linked to CMS Energy Corp. awarded $125,000 on Wednesday for renovations to Traverse City's State Theatre, home of Michael Moore's annual film festival.

The Consumers Energy Foundation presented the grant to the Traverse City Film Festival at an evening ceremony. The foundation's grant is for the cost of the now-completed restoration of the exterior of the downtown movie house.

"When I first moved to Traverse City, I felt bad every time I drove by the shuttered and closed theater," Moore said in a statement. "Now, thanks to Consumers Energy and an extraordinary community of volunteers, the theater is a vibrant community center that is better than new, and ready to stand another 100 years, a place where future generations can come and enjoy the magic of the movies, together."

Foundation President David Mengebier credited Moore and the film festival for restoring the theater and helping bring about a resurgence of the downtown area.

"This great theater has been a catalyst for attracting new businesses and restaurants to the downtown area," he said. "Consumers Energy has been honored to help preserve historic buildings like the State Theatre during our 125-year record of service to the people of Michigan."

The Traverse City grant was part of $1.25 million in matching grants, the foundation said. It said the other $125,000 grants go to:

-- Bay Commitment College Resource Center in Bay City, which helps Bay County students and their parents apply for college and for financial assistance.

-- Saginaw Community Foundation for restoration of the city's Deindorfer Woods Park.

-- The Community Foundation of Greater Flint for the Flint/Genesee County Green and Healthy Homes Initiative, supporting efforts to repair or replace the roofs of the homes of low-income families.

-- West Michigan Sports Commission in Grand Rapids for construction of a 12-field sports complex in Rockford.

-- Michigan Nonprofit Association in Lansing for development of the Nonprofit Center at the Armory.

-- Energizing Education Project, previously called the Partnership Park Neighborhood Planning Project, for educational system improvements in Jackson.

-- Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity in Kalamazoo for the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, which seeks to meet housing needs in distressed neighborhoods.

-- Muskegon Retail Incubator, formerly the Russell Block Market program, to foster opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop sustainable retail businesses in downtown Muskegon.

-- Lighthouse of Oakland County in Pontiac for renovation of its headquarters. The group helps struggling families move to self-sufficiency and independence.

© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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