Welcome Signs and Billboards
MARJDI has distributed “Welcome” signs to local businesses, offices and organizations. These signs are intended to signal openness and acceptance of the rich diversity of people who visit, work, and live in the Manistee area.
We plan to place this message at the entrances to the Manistee Riverwalk and area beaches and parks in the coming months.
In addition, in 2021 we placed two billboards along our major highway welcoming people to our community during the summer season. We hope to continue to place billboards as resources allow.
If you would like to post a welcome sign please contact us!
We plan to place this message at the entrances to the Manistee Riverwalk and area beaches and parks in the coming months.
In addition, in 2021 we placed two billboards along our major highway welcoming people to our community during the summer season. We hope to continue to place billboards as resources allow.
If you would like to post a welcome sign please contact us!
Our Welcome Sign
Welcoming Sign
Welcome to Manistee Billboards 2024!!
In the middle of May, James Uhl, M.D wrote a letter to the editor of the Manistee News Advocate stating how pleased it makes him to see the "Welcome to Manistee” billboards and the “Welcome to Manistee” signs in stores downtown. Many Manistee citizens and visitors to our community have expressed the same good feelings when they see the welcome signs. In fact, many comments have been made by new residents that the welcome signs have confirmed their decision to move to the Manistee area. In May 2024, two new billboards were placed on M55 and M31 near the entrances to Manistee. On May 30, 30-40 Manistee community members gathered for a “Blessing of the Billboards” at the billboard located on M55. The “Blessing” began with a moving musical invocation on double bass by Dr. Paul Erhard. A responsive reading, songs, and the blessing itself were led by The Rev. Liz Hoy and the Rev. Brian Coleman, faith leaders from the Manistee First Congregational Church and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. The welcome billboards were facilitated by the Manistee Area Racial Justice and Diversity Initiative (MARJDI) and are made possible this year with funding from the Manistee County Community Foundation, Manistee County Chamber of Commerce, Manistee County United Way, Dwelling Real Estate. and many individuals throughout our community. Also in support of the “Welcome to Manistee” message and values of openness and inclusion are all the downtown merchants who display a “Welcome to Manistee” sign in their front window. As Dr. Uhl stated in his letter to the editor “We can unite in extending a warm welcome to people who may not look like us, think like us, or behave like us." 
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The Billboard Posted on Major Highways
With generous support from the Manistee County Community Foundation, Manistee County United Way, and many individuals like you, we were able to display three billboards (north, south and east of town) in 2023 for a total of 20 weeks, from early May through mid-September. We have received so many positive comments from visitors and residents that we have decided to put the billboards back up in 2024.
We have received a quote from Lamar Advertising for $8000.00 to have two billboards (east and south of town) put up for 28 weeks in 2024, Memorial Day weekend through Sleighbell weekend. We once again need your help to make this project again a reality. If you can help, please make your donation to the Manistee County Community Foundation/MARJDI fund. You can make your donation on line With generous support from the Manistee County Community Foundation, Manistee County United Way, and many individuals like you, we were able to display three billboards (north, south and east of town) in 2023 for a total of 20 weeks, from early May through mid-September. We have received so many positive comments from visitors and residents that we have decided to put the billboards back up in 2024. We have received a quote from Lamar Advertising for $8000.00 to have two billboards (east and south of town) put up for 28 weeks in 2024, Memorial Day weekend through Sleighbell weekend. We once again need your help to make this project again a reality. If you can help, please make your donation to the Manistee County Community Foundation/MARJDI fund. You can make your donation on line at manisteefoundation.org at the MARJDI Fund, or in person by mail to the Foundation’s mailing address: 400 River Street, Suite #50, Manistee, MI. 49660. Any size donation is very welcome. Thanks for making Manistee a better place to live, work and play. Sincerely, Richard Albee, Member MARJDI Steering Committee 231-723-0032 da[email protected] The Manistee Area Racial Justice and Diversity Fund (MARJDI) is a fiscally sponsored project of the Manistee Community Foundation. (Michigan Charitabl |