Dianda Gets Grants for Local Communities

The city of Houghton will be receiving a special grant that will allow them to purchase the Central Houghton Greenspace Nature Area. The $80,000 grant was made possible through legislation brought forward by Representative Scott Dianda that will allocated grants from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to seven communities within Dianda’s district. The bill has been approved by the House and will now look to be approved by the Senate and Governor Rick Snyder. Among the other communities that will receive grants are Calumet Charter Township, Ontonagon and Copper Harbor. The grants are:

· Arvon Township will make improvements to its Waterfront Park improvements with an MNRTF grant of $45,000.

· The city of Gaastra will use their grant of $37,000 to make improvements to the city’s recreational complex viewing and parking.

· The city of Ironwood will use an MNRTF grant of $37,500 to make improvements to Curry Park.

· A second grant of $37,500 to the city of Ironwood will go for the Depot Park Playground.

· Gogebic County’s Ironwood to Bessemer Trail project will receive a grant of $295,000 for work and improvements to the trail.

· An MNRTF grant of $210,400 to Ontonagon County will fund improvements to Ontonagon County Park.

· The village of Ontonagon will receive an MNRTF grant of $46,300 for work on the Rose Island Paddle Craft Landing.

· Calumet Charter Township will purchase the Railroad Depot with a grant of $80,000.

· The city of Houghton will purchase the Central Houghton Greenspace Nature Area for $80,000.

· Fort Wilkins Historic Park will acquire a 10 acre parcel of land on the shore of Lake Fanny Hooe to connect the park and the village of Copper Harbor.