A unique take on place

A town just south of us has staked part of their claim to fame on their dark skies. St. Ignace, Michigan, already a popular tourist destination because it’s a gateway to Mackinac Island, is capitalizing on the dark skies initiative. With all the light pollution around the country, people would like to come to a place they can actually see the stars, planets, satellites, meteors, and northern lights. West of town in the Headlands, the city is developing a Dark Skies Park and looking for local businesses to kick in some of the required local match for state grants for the park improvements. The park has gotten national publicity and is expected to increase tourism which would benefit businesses. A unique twist on placemaking, capitalizing on existing natural assets and boosting the local economy.