WASHINGTON –Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) announced $120,000 in Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development program. The funding is being allocated to a variety of non-profit groups throughout northern Michigan.

 

“Rural Business Enterprise Grants are critical to fostering economic growth and saving jobs in rural areas,” Stupak noted. “I am pleased to see these grants support these important northern Michigan programs.”

 

The Northeast Michigan Council of Governments (NEMCOG) will receive $25,000.   Located in Gaylord, NEMCOG facilitates the development of intergovernmental cooperation and coordination within an eight county region in northeast Michigan, covering Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Montmorency, Presque Isle, Oscoda and Otsego counties. 

 

The USDA grant will fund a feasibility study for a possible Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence at Alpena Community College. The Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence will focus on assisting small businesses by offering a variety of services to expanding and new businesses in the area. The Center’s work will be conducted in conjunction with the City of Alpena. Before plans can be made with this project, however, several questions must be answered in order to be sure that such a plan is financially, physically and otherwise feasible. The Rural Business Enterprise Grant program will provide funding for a detailed feasibility study to examine what niche markets already exist in Northeast Michigan and what services would be most helpful to local business start ups and entrepreneurs.

 

Laura Ingles, Economic Development Specialist at NEMCOG, thanked Stupak for his assistance in securing the grant.

 

“USDA funds are vital the work NEMCOG does, not just on the Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence, but for the technical assistance and other projects we provide local businesses and communities,” Ingles said. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with Congressman Stupak to secure USDA funding for important services in northeast Michigan.”

 

“Once off the ground, a Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence will spur small business growth in more rural parts of northeast Michigan,” Stupak said. “The feasibility study will help examine how a Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence will work and what is needed for the project to start up.”

  

CrawfordCounty will receive a grant of $25,000 for continued work and renovations on the Grayling Fish Hatchery.   The Grayling Fish Hatchery was founded in 1917 in an effort to reintroduce the grayling fish species to the Au Sable River. As the hatchery is no longer active, Crawford County has been working in recent years to convert the facility into a museum. The county has already successfully completed roof repair, painting and other site improvements, while operating the raceways as a tourist attraction. This Rural Business Enterprise Grant will be used for asbestos abatement and floor repair, according to Bruce Patrick of Crawford County. Any funds left over will be used for architectural work and site repairs, such as replacing a footbridge on the premises. Patrick said that the opening of a museum, like the hatchery, can bring significant tourist dollars to an area. 

 

“A study by Michigan State University recently found that a tourist attraction like a small museum can potentially bring $4 million in tourist spending to a community," Patrick said. "While we have a way to go before the museum can be opened, USDA grants and matching funds from members of the local community are bringing us closer to the day when we can complete renovation and open the hatchery building as a museum.”

"The hatchery provides an excellent opportunity to create a museum with significant historic value," Stupak added. "I look forward to continuing to promote funding for this valuable local project."

HERO, Org in Hale, Michigan (IoscoCounty) will receive a grant of $20,000. HERO, Org stands for Helping Entrepreneurs Reach Objectives. The non-profit organization provides funds for entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals who are experiencing financial difficulty.

 

“HERO, Org does great work helping small businesses facing everyday business challenges,” Stupak noted. “I am happy that HERO, Org received this funding, and I look forward to their continued growth and success.”

 

Betty Klug, Executive Director of HERO, Org, praised Stupak’s support for the organization. 

 

“Bart Stupak has long been a fighter for programs like ours and we are pleased to have his support in Washington,” Klug said. “This funding will allow us to continue supporting local businesses that run into unforeseen adversity.”

 

Arenac Opportunities, Inc. (ArenacCounty) will receive $50,000. Arenac Opportunities, Inc. is a non-profit community rehabilitation organization that provides a variety of services and programs to persons with developmental, physical or emotional disabilities in Arenac County. Elaine Koin, Executive Director for Arenac Opportunities, said that the funding will be utilized to purchase a shredder and bailer for the organization’s recycling business, which employs developmentally disabled people to collect and recycle used cardboard.   

 

“Non-profit organizations in rural communities can face a tough time raising funding,” Koin said.  “Rural development funding is vital for non-profit organizations in rural communities, and we appreciate Congressman Stupak’s support for projects like these.”

 

“Arenac Opportunities’ recycling program is an innovative way to provide persons with developmental disabilities meaningful employment that offers important services to the local community,” Stupak noted.

 

 

 

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