By Andi Anderson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is playing a key role in revitalizing rural tourism by supporting the reopening of the historic Sleeping Bear Inn within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan.
During a visit to the site, USDA Rural Business Cooperative Service Administrator Betty Dirksen Londrigan highlighted the USDA’s investment in rural communities, which aims to boost local economies and create jobs.
Londrigan emphasized that the USDA’s investments in rural areas create economic opportunities not only regionally but nationally, aligning with the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to support communities "from the middle out and bottom up." This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance rural infrastructure and promote sustainable economic growth.
To support the renovation of the Sleeping Bear Inn, the USDA Rural Development provided a $1.38 million Guaranteed Business Loan to Balancing Environment and Rehabilitation, a non-profit dedicated to restoring the historic inn.
The inn, located in the Glen Haven Historic District within Sleeping Bear Dunes, is a nine-room bed and breakfast operated under a 40-year lease from the National Park Service.
Additionally, Londrigan visited other USDA-supported projects, including the Commongrounds Cooperative in Traverse City and Lakeview Hill Farms, which received a $250,000 Value Added Producer Grant to expand the sales of organic flowers and vegetables.
The USDA continues to transform America’s food system, focusing on strengthening local food production, building fairer markets, and promoting climate-smart agricultural practices.
The agency’s investments also aim to improve infrastructure and energy systems in rural areas, ensuring that all communities have access to safe, nutritious food and sustainable economic opportunities.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Michigan, Government & Policy