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Coldwater DDA approves cultural sponsorship, event funding and awards downtown planter contract
Summary
At its November meeting the Coldwater Downtown Development Authority approved a $1,500 sponsorship for Cultural Jubilee, up to $625 for the Love Local event, and awarded the 2026 downtown planter contract (totaling $20,000) primarily to Nightshoots Greenhouse after debate about splitting the work.
The Coldwater Downtown Development Authority on Nov. 2025 approved several event sponsorships and a vendor contract intended to shape downtown’s appearance and promotions in 2026.
The board voted to sponsor the Cultural Jubilee at $1,500, approved November bills and accounts totaling $1,800 (including a city loan payment tied to the Children’s Museum building), and agreed to provide up to $625 to support the Love Local chili-and-soup cook-off scheduled for Jan. 31, 2026.
Why it matters: the approvals commit modest DDA resources to promote downtown events and cover a large line item in next year’s DDA budget — the planter program — that will influence the look of the central business district through the next growing season.
The most contested vote concerned the 2026 downtown planter contract. Diane Morrison, chair of the Flower Committee, presented the committee’s recommendation to contract with Nightshoots Greenhouse and Showcase Gardens after an RFP process for work on 51 planters. "We have worked diligently for the last year to understand and learn about downtown decorations," Morrison said while explaining a proposed split (39 planters to Nightshoots, 12 to Showcase) and the total contract amount of $20,000.
Kent, a local planter provider, cautioned against splitting the contract. "I get a little antsy because I'm afraid that many of you have little or no idea of what's involved in this," he said, warning that splitting the work could produce inconsistent quality and extra administrative burden. Board members exchanged views on balancing local-business participation with consistency of product and maintenance.
After discussion the board voted to award the 2026 planter contract to Nightshoots Greenhouse for this year. A roll-call/voice sequence recorded several affirmative votes and at least one dissenting 'no.' The motion carried.
Other board actions: the consent agenda (with the regular meeting minutes for Oct. 22, 2025 pulled for correction) was approved; the minutes were amended to show Shauna Greif was present and then approved as corrected. The board also approved the monthly bills and accounts ($1,800).
What’s next: the DDA will implement planter work in the spring of 2026 under the awarded contract, proceed with Cultural Jubilee planning with confirmed sponsors, and finalize budget allocations for these items as part of the 2026 budget process.
Votes and motions recorded in the meeting transcript correspond to the actions above; where individual voter names are not read aloud in full during voice votes, the meeting record notes approval by voice or roll-call as shown.
