Dickinson County Sportsmen’s Clubs and the Dickinson Area Community Foundation Launch Circle Power’s Groveland Area Grant Application
$25,000 set aside for local recreation projects and habitat improvements
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, Sep. 12, 2024
az@platform-communications.com
Felch Township, Mich. - Dickinson County Sportsmen’s Clubs and the Dickinson Area Community Foundation (DACF) are launching the application for Circle Power’s Groveland Mine Solar Groveland Area Improvement Grant Fund. The fund is providing up to $25,000 in grants for local organizers of a recreation or habitat improvement project or projects in the Groveland Mine Ponds or Pine Creek Basin area.
Several Dickinson County sportsmen’s groups were closely involved in designing the grant process and will play a key role in facilitating the grants to local projects. Participating groups include the Upper Peninsula Sportsmen’s Alliance; Wildlife Unlimited of Dickinson County; the UP Whitetails Dickinson County Chapter; and the East Dickinson Sportsmen. The Michigan Department of Natural Resource also assisted with designing the application process.
“Circle Proud is proud to work with the DACF and Dickinson area sportsmen’s groups to fund a project in the Groveland Mine Ponds or Pine Creek Basin areas. We thank the sportsmen’s groups who have given their time and expertise to this process.” said Jordan Roberts, CEO of Circle Power. “We work with our local partners to strengthen what is important to them, and we know that these lands are important to sportsmen and the entire community.”
“We are excited to continue our work with Circle Power and see the project’s positive impact across the community,” said Tamara Juul, Executive Director of the Dickinson Area Community Foundation. “The Groveland Area Improvement Grant will facilitate the use and enjoyment of public lands that are important to people who live and play in Dickinson County.”
Mike LaVarnway, President of Wildlife Unlimited of Dickinson County, said of the grants: "Having a longstanding commitment to enhancing the outdoor recreation experience for the people of Dickinson County, Wildlife Unlimited is pleased to collaborate with the Community Foundation and Groveland Mine Solar to provide funding for recreation and habitat improvements in the Groveland Mine Ponds area and Pine Creek Basin."
Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to, recreation access, fish stocking, and habitat improvements. The project must be hosted on Michigan Department of Natural Resources land in Felch, Norway or Sagola Townships in the Groveland Mine Ponds or Pine Creek Basin areas (see application map for eligible areas). Preference will be given to projects that leverage funds and contributions from other sources, as well. The selection committee will award at least $10,000 of the grant to one or more projects by April 2025 – with the entire grant being awarded by no later than February 2027.
Applications must be submitted no later than Jan. 31, 2024. To complete an application, visit https://www.dickinsonareacommunityfoundation.org/grants-1.
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About Groveland Mine Solar: Located in Dickinson County, Mich., Groveland Mine Solar is an economic development opportunity for the region that will provide new revenue to local governments and create construction jobs. Ground-mounted solar arrays will be sited on public and private lands of the decommissioned Groveland Mine, which operated from the early 1950s until 1981 under the ownership of the Hanna Mining Company. Groveland Mine Solar has signed a letter of intent with the Upper Peninsula Building Trades Council to guarantee that the project will be constructed with union labor. The project is proudly supported by Operating Engineers 324, Laborers’ Union Local 1329, Michigan Association of Carpenters & Millwrights, IBEW Local 906, the U.P. Building Trades Council, and the Upper Peninsula Construction Council.