Michigan Ag Connection - Michigan Awards Grants for Rural Communities

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Michigan Awards Grants for Rural Communities
Michigan Ag Connection - 04/28/2017

Thursday, the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development awarded Rural Development Fund Grants aimed to promote the sustainability of land-based industries and support infrastructure that benefits rural communities.

"MDARD is proud to help support these important projects," said Director Jamie Clover Adams. "This is a great opportunity for us to give Michigan businesses a boost, improve local infrastructure around the state, and ultimately open the door for the creation of more good-paying jobs."

The department received 73 proposals with requests totaling more than $12.9 million. Of those, MDARD awarded the following 17 projects:

- City of Munising - $150,000. Infrastructure - Resurface 2,700 feet of Highway H-58 serving as primary access to the Neenah Paper Mill.

- Copper Peak Inc., of Ironwood - $125,000. Rural Capacity - Engineer the facility's landing hill to install a permanent summer jumping surface to increase tourism opportunities year-round.

- Grand Traverse Distillery, LLC, of Traverse City - $123,800. Business Development -- Purchase equipment to double production of their craft whiskey.

- Grand Traverse Pasta Co., LLC, of Traverse City - $75,250. Business Development -- Improve processing equipment to increase efficiency and capacity for value-added wheat products.

- Houghton County - $80,000. Infrastructure -- Implement needed sewer repairs in the Houghton County Airpark, impacting more than 24 existing businesses.

- Human Development Commission, of Caro - $61,600. Infrastructure -- Improvements to their commodity food warehouse, strengthening their Commodity Distribution Program.

- Iron County Economic Chamber Alliance, of Iron River - $22,140. Rural Capacity -- Implement a four-part project: economic summit, website, tourism economic plan, and professional development, aimed to boost tourism and crucial resources for existing businesses.

- Mason County Growth Alliance, of Ludington - $35,000. Rural Capacity -- Plan and develop conceptual designs and an implementation strategy for non-motorized trails in Lake, Mason, Newaygo and Oceana counties. - Michigamme Township - $26,500. Infrastructure -- Certifying of an operator for the Township's wastewater treatment facility.

- Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency, of Fremont - $176,753. Talent Development -- Develop avenues of entrance into skilled trades, and create partnerships that allow for coordination, education/training, and communication with key stakeholders in advanced manufacturing/food processing, robotics, and drone technology in the context of agri-science.

- Northern Economic Initiatives Corporation, of Marquette - $50,000. Rural Capacity -- Access and create strategies for 20 Central UP small businesses, particularly manufacturing, to improve their processes and profitability.

- Northern Michigan Geological Repository Association, of Marquette - $226,700. Rural Capacity -- Purchase of a building to house a diamond drill core library and geological data for research.

- Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation, of Traverse City - $170,000. Rural Capacity -- Secure 37 acres adjacent to the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center to improve tree fruit research, particularly for spotted wing drosophila.

- Slagles Family Farm, of Felch - $84,110. Business Development -- Creation of a commercial kitchen, including needed equipment, cooler and cold storage.

- Superior Watershed Partnership, of Marquette - $75,200. Rural Capacity - Improved public access, hiking/biking trail systems, restoration of degraded natural areas and other related community-based tourism projects benefitting rural communities in Marquette, Alger and Delta counties.

- Village of Ellsworth - $32,000. Infrastructure -- Conduct a preliminary study to determine the cost and scope to construct a sanitary sewer system.

- Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region Commission, of Houghton - $27,230. Rural Capacity - Conduct a feasibility study for a community photovoltaic solar generation system for the Village of L'Anse's municipal electric utility.

The grant funds were available for projects that address expansion and sustainability of land-based industries; worker training; and energy, transportation, communications, water and wastewater infrastructure to benefit rural communities and Micropolitan statistical areas.

Land-based industries included food and agriculture; forestry; mining, oil and gas production; and tourism. Eligible counties include those with a population no greater than 60,000 residents or micropolitian statistical areas. Preference was given to projects in the following counties: Marquette; Alger; Delta; Menominee; Dickinson; Iron; and Baraga.

The proposals were evaluated through a competitive process. Those interested in additional information on this grant program or a complete list of eligible counties should visit www.michigan.gov/mdardgrants.

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