Trail support
State funds to improve Iron Ore Heritage Trail, other area projects
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MARQUETTE -- The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has awarded 22 Rural Development Fund Grants -- with Marquette County the top priority -- designed to promote the sustainability of land-based industries and support infrastructure that benefits rural communities.
Land-based industries, according to MDARD, include food and agriculture, forestry, mining, oil and gas production, and tourism.
"At MDARD, we are proud to continue to make investments into our rural communities that create more economic opportunities, and good-paying jobs, while expanding our food and agriculture industry," MDARD Director Tim Boring said in a statement. "These 22 new projects show why Michigan is a competitive powerhouse in the food and agricultural industry."
MDARD received 78 proposals with requests totaling more than $6.3 million. Of those, MDARD awarded 22 projects totaling just over $1.8 million, leveraging a match of more than $1.6 million.
Area projects include:
≤ EPIC: Educational Partnership in the Community in Marquette County, $100,000, to promote safe and affordable child care through the addition of supervised and trained care volunteers to assist with infant and toddler care to implement EPIC's Child Care Compliance and Volunteer Sustainability Program;
≤ the Marquette County Land Bank Authority, $50,000, for a project that addresses the lack of affordable/attainable housing options for many county residents and municipalities by providing target market analysis and implementation;
≤ the Iron Ore Recreation Authority, $56,000, for a project to improve trail maintenance equipment, add administration with volunteer support, and to maintain this asset for the physical, mental and economic fitness of the community;
≤ the city of Negaunee, $100,000, for water main replacement in the downtown area to allow various businesses to connect and install fire suppression systems where needed;
≤ 906 Technologies, LLC, in Marquette County, $70,000, broadband phase 1, for improving the city of Negaunee's broadband infrastructure to support the accelerating need for technology access to under served areas;
≤ the Delta County Road Commission, $100,000, to upgrade a one-mile segment of County Road 434 from a gravel road to a paved all-season road to provide a vital link in the farm-to-market road network;
≤ Jack Pine Lodge UP, LLC, of Schoolcraft County, $85,500 for an expansion project to accommodate additional full RV and camper trailer rental sites to improve the economic impact for the community;
≤ the Kiwanis Ski Club in Dickinson County, $100,000 for a project to continue generating income through KSC events by renovating the complex by adding an elevator to the ski jump tower and expanding tourism/nonski jumping events held throughout the year;
≤ River Trails LLC, in Houghton County, $100,000 to enhance the existing trail system near Michigan Technological University by planning for future protection of the Pilgrim River to create economic benefit for future homeowners and the development community;
≤ Skinny Pete's LLC, in Houghton County, $40,600 for a project to address the critical need to meet the demand of customers and promote a more efficient workday for staff while providing capacity to service more businesses to the success of the local economy.
≤ Superior Sawmill, Inc., in Alger County, $100,000 for infrastructure expansion and business development to provide southern Marquette County contractors and residents with a rural supply of lumber and employment opportunities; and
≤ Wilson Enterprises, Inc., in Menominee County, $100,000 for a project to provide a wide variety of crucial benefits to the local economy, including increases in purchases of raw forestry materials, order increase in containers, increase production of Michigan products, additional jobs and packaging from an Upper Peninsula business.
The grant funds, Public Act 411 of 2012, are aimed to promote the sustainability of land-based industries and support workforce training, rural capacity building, business development and infrastructure that benefits rural communities, MDARD said.
Eligible counties include those with a population no greater than 70,000 residents or micropolitan statistical areas. Preference was given to projects in Marquette County in accordance with Public Act 411.
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.
Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.