LANSING, MI— Eight Upper Peninsula entities have been awarded state rural development grants to promote the sustainability of land-based industries and support infrastructure that benefits rural communities.
The money comes from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
U.P. recipients are as follows:
- Black Pearl Estate LLC (Paradise, MI), $97,413: Support rural economic development in Paradise by activating an underutilized facility into a flexible community and business hub that expands market access for local producers, supports entrepreneurship and lays the foundation for long-term job creation and private investment.
- Forsyth Forward, (Gwinn, MI) $100,000.00: Enhance outdoor recreation and tourism in Forsyth Township by developing a regional non-motorized trail network that connects communities, improves quality of life and drives local economic activity.
- Kinross Charter Township (Kincheloe, MI), $56,000: Modernize critical community infrastructure in Chippewa County by replacing the unsafe fairgrounds grandstand and upgrading water, sewer and facility amenities to improve safety, expand event capacity and support regional tourism and agriculture.
- Pickford Utility Authority (Pickford, MI), $48,058: Maintain critical wastewater infrastructure in Pickford by replacing aging sewer equipment to ensure reliable service, protect public health and support community and economic stability.
- Soo Locks Children's Museum (Sault Ste. Marie, MI), $92,830: Complete interior construction of the Soo Locks Children's Museum in Sault Ste. Marie by installing drywall, flooring, and essential building systems to enable occupancy, support year-round educational use and strengthen local tourism infrastructure.
- The Cogswell Foley Group LLC (Mass City, MI), $100,000: Construct a multi-season campground by completing site grading, installing water, sewer and electrical infrastructure, developing campsites and RV hookups, and building essential facilities including restrooms, showers and a check-in area.
- The Negaunee Holdings LLC (Negaunee, MI), $40,000: Complete building system upgrades including HVAC and fire suppression improvements to support the construction of a new cafe.
- Watersmeet Township (Watersmeet, MI), $100,000: Install modern residential water meters across all eligible connections, integrate them into the Township's water system and replace the existing unmetered system with accurate, digital metering infrastructure.
The grants were part of $1.6 million given to 19 projects across Michigan.
