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At Wednesday’s Hancock City Council meeting, Manager Mary Babcock provided an update on summer events. The first one on the list is Monday, June 7th, at 5:15 PM, when Memorial Park is rededicated following several improvements. Already installed are the benches built by students at Hancock Central High School and statues honoring each service branch made by career and technical education students from the Copper Country Intermediate School District. Babcock says they have been asked to the ceremony.
Junior ROTC and an anthem singer have been lined up already. The public is welcome and hot dogs and chips will be offered afterwards. No RSVP is needed.
All business items passed unanimously. The council approved an agreement with the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region to administer the federal grant for the new business park. The city asked for $35,000 in an application for the Neighborhood Enhancement Program. The grant was accepted, but only for exterior work and at roughly half the amount asked for ($16,500). Babcock proposed doing work on two homes on Tezcuco Street.
The Community Economic Development Association of Michigan is offered to only 10 communities across the state, and Hancock was selected. From October until December 2022, that will allow for an extra staff member at City Hall. They will be charged with addressing employee training and rezoning to help Hancock move into compliance with the requirements for Michigan Main Street or the MEDC’s Redevelopment Ready Communities programs (RRC). Lastly, Babcock got approval for a rough draft of a new Boards and Commissions form.
