Maddison Tarango
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Patricia Bosch
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Nortown Community Development Corporation / NonUM
Program: UROP
Session: Session 7 (4:40pm – 5:30pm)
Authors: Maddison Tarango, Patricia Bosch
Abstract
Nortown Community Development Corporation is constantly working to better the community in terms of historic preservation, economic revitalization, business opportunities, and more in State District 3 in Detroit. Knowing the demographics in this area makes it easier to apply for grants, understand the needs of the community, and enhance the marketing research scope. Additionally, we wanted to know the stops on the Underground Railroad in order to better understand Detroit’s history, which would also improve grant opportunities. To conduct the demographic research, I communicated often with an organization called Data Driven Detroit to obtain certain demographic information. For other needed statistics, I was able to research other forums and compare it to older statistics that Nortown CDC already had access to. For the Underground Railroad, I consulted many websites, maps, and sources at the U of M library to gain knowledge of its history and where it connected “safe” stops in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. This research has been useful in expanding our search for grants to benefit Nortown CDC’s targeted historic geographic areas. With the demographic data, Nortown is better positioned to apply for grants because it has needed documentation that summarizes crucial age, population, income and other data necessary to meet grant application criteria. Our data research also showed that northeast Detroit (District 3) lags behind Michigan as a whole, in terms of income and education, with a greater number of people on public assistance. By knowing the exact numbers, we will be able to receive future funding for revitalization of the Van Dyke business corridor and restoration of the historic Norris House.
