For Immediate Release: April 27, 2017 Media Contact:     Jessy Sielski, 517-284-5725 Program Contact:     Heather Throne, 517-712-0841

LANSING, Mich. – Today, 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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