“I’m proud that so much of the work at MDARD remains focused on helping our rural communities thrive through sustainable approaches,” MDARD Director Gary McDowell said in a statement. “When we can invest in our communities, it allows Michigan to continue to expand its economic footprint here at home and globally.”

The department received 114 proposals with requests totaling more than $9.6 million. Of those, MDARD awarded grants for 21 projects totaling nearly $1.8 million, leveraging matching funds of more than $8.6 million.

Local projects and grants include:

≤ Ishpeming Public Schools, $100,000 for a partnership with Partridge Creek Farm to develop the infrastructure for an intergenerational farm in downtown Ishpeming;

James Randall, president of the Marquette Area Public Schools Board of Education and Michelle DenBeste, a speech language pathologist for Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency Board of Education, participate in a community forum for MARESA’s master plan last fall. MARESA was awarded $100,000 from MDARD to expand child care options for infant, toddler and preschool children within the Ishpeming community. (Journal file photo)

≤ Maria Del Barrio, Inc., doing business as Cafe Bodega in Marquette, $100,000 for expansion of cold storage and a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system to increase capacity for production and sales of Michigan-grown and value-added products and job creation;

≤ Powell Township, $70,000 to support recreation development opportunities for improving the health and recreation of the community and growing number of tourists attracted to the area;

≤ Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency, Marquette, $100,000 to expand child care options for infant, toddler and preschool children within the Ishpeming community;

≤ Village of Baraga, $60,000 to implement improvements by replacing ferric chloride chemical treatment tanks at the wastewater treatment plant to maintain the required treatment process of village wastewater;

≤ Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation, doing business as MTEC SmartZone in Houghton, $100,000 to manufacture hardwood mass timber to meet the strong need for near-term expansion and diversification in hardwood product markets;

A view from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain is shown. Marquette County was awarded $59,500 from MDARD for the completion of assessment and upgrades at Sugarloaf Mountain Natural Area. (Journal file photos)

≤ Hiawatha Log Homes, Wetmore, $100,000 for for a business and workforce expansion project to increase manufacturing capabilities for domestic and export sales of the new TimberPro product line;

≤ Lake Effect Distillery LLC, Escanaba, $100,000 for increasing the total production by installing distillation equipment that can handle commercial demand;

≤ Barrel + Beam LLC, Marquette, $21,900 to establish a commercial kitchen to be used by public and private partners, as well as to develop a rural model for food waste reduction;

≤ Jilbert Dairy-Dairy Farmers of America, Marquette, $100,000 to rebuild investment opportunities to help in the reduction of food product waste and energy efficiency;

≤ Marquette County, $59,500 for the completion of assessment and upgrades at Sugarloaf Mountain Natural Area.

owell Township students and area residents hike a trail that connects the school to the Big Bay Pathway. Powell Township was awarded $70,000 from MDARD to support recreation development opportunities. (Journal file photo)

The grant funds, available through Public Act 411 of 2012, are aimed to promote the sustainability of land-based industries — food and agriculture, forestry, mining, oil and gas production, and tourism — and support workforce training, rural capacity building, business development and infrastructure that benefits rural communities.

Eligible counties include those with a population of 70,000 residents or less, or micropolitan statistical areas. Preference was given to projects in Marquette County.

The proposals were evaluated through a competitive process.

For more information about this grant program or a complete list of eligible counties, visit www.michigan.gov/mdardgrants.