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The Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region (WUPPDR), based in Houghton, today announced the award of $10,000 in total funding to two Western U.P. organizations by WUPPDR’s 2017 Placemaking Grant Program. The program is funded by the State of Michigan’s 2017 Regional Prosperity Initiative (RPI).
The 2017 WUPPDR RPI Placemaking Grant awards, including the project, organization, and grant amount, are:
- Hancock Streetside Art, Copper Country Communtiy Arts Center (CCCAC), $5,000
- Downtown Ontonagon Beach Access, Ontonagon Downtown Development Authority (DDA), $5,000
CCCAC wants to upgrade the appearance of Hancock’s streetside with a new mural on the organization’s building, hanging of block quilts in unoccupied buildings along Quincy Street, and installation of three Kalevala murals at the Quincy Green for a traditional finnish festival called the Juhannus Celebration, and the Tori Farmers Market season.
Ontonagon’s DDA plans to install signage for a larger project that will provide direct access to the beach from Downtown.
Placemaking is the establishment of features and programs to develop and nurture vibrant neighborhoods and communities. In order to demonstrate local support, the placemaking grants require a 50 percent cost share by the grantees.
Founded in 1968, WUPPDR is one of 14 State of Michigan designated planning regions, serving the six counties (Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Ontonagon) within the Western Upper Peninsula. The agency’s chief role is to foster stable and diversified economies in the Western U.P. Through this role and RPI, WUPPDR enhances intergovernmental coordination and encourages opportunities for public comment on projects of regional significance.
