UP groups given a portion of $1.3 million in Rural Readiness Grants
Public Radio 90, WNMU | By Nicole Walton | Published February 26, 2025 at 6:42 AM EST
LANSING, MI— Four Upper Peninsula organizations are benefitting from the state’s Rural Readiness Grant Program.
The money comes through the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Rural Prosperity and is designed to help rural communities build capacity, drive economic development, and improve quality of life for residents.
Selected as grant recipients were:
- Beaver Island Association – To develop a broadband development plan for Beaver Island to map out a fiber-to-the-home network, confirm build-out costs and establish a township-owned broadband system to provide reliable, high-speed internet access. ($43,000)
- Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District – To assess regional mental health needs, engage community stakeholders and develop solutions to address gaps in support for students, particularly those experiencing severe post-COVID mental health challenges. ($50,000)
- Gogebic Range Health Foundation – To develop a comprehensive plan for a multi-purpose community center in Gogebic County to address childcare shortages, economic disparities and social service gaps through cross-sector collaboration and sustainable funding strategies. ($50,000)
- UPCAP Services – To support the establishment of a Veterans Assistance Fund to provide financial aid and services to veterans across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, ensuring long-term sustainability through strategic planning, policy development and community partnerships. ($50,000)
Projects funded through the Rural Readiness Grant Program will focus on key areas such as business development, broadband expansion, housing, workforce training, health and other initiatives that support long-term prosperity.