LANSING – State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) announced today that the House of Representatives has approved a bill allocating Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grants to a number of House District 110 communities. House Bill 4078 is now in the Senate Committee on Appropriations.  

“I am pleased that seven HD 110 communities are in line to see grants that will help them improve parks, playgrounds and trails which, in turn, will improve the quality of life for residents,” said Dianda.

Upon the approval of the state Senate and then Gov. Rick Snyder, the following communities will see funding for their projects:

  • 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.

The MNRTF is a restricted fund established in 1976 to provide funding for public acquisition of lands for resource protection and outdoor recreation, as well as for public outdoor recreation development projects. It is funded through interest earned on funds derived from the development of publicly owned minerals. Over the past 39 years, the Trust Fund has granted more than $1 billion to state and local units of government to develop and improve recreation opportunities in Michigan.

“I applaud the MNRTFs investment in my communities,” said Dianda. “Not only do these parks, playgrounds and trails contribute to a good quality of life for residents, they also improve the Upper Peninsula experience for tourists to encourage them to come back and visit again.”