Boyne City Receives Community Growth Grant
Networks Northwest, in partnership with the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, announced the award of a 2014 Regional Prosperity Initiative: Community Growth Grant for Boyne City. The $7,500 grant award will be used to enhance Old City Park, located in downtown Boyne City on River Street.
Funds from the grant will be used to install free public-access WI-FI for the park; an information kiosk advertising community events and providing information brochures; and way-finding signs with maps showing the routes to commercial, recreational and public areas of the City.
“With the required local match approved by the City Commission, the estimated total project cost for these park amenities is $15,000,” said Mike Cain, City Manager of Boyne City.
Old City Park is located in the middle of Boyne City’s downtown and already serves as a hub for many community activities. Kayakers often use the park as a stopping point for a break. Visitors to the area, as well as local residents, use the park for recreation and attend summer concerts in the gazebo.
Boyne City Community Growth Grant Check Presentation
Top Row (L to R) – Jim Baumann, Boyne Area Chamber; Ross Maxwell, Charlevoix County Parks & Recreation Director; Jim Howell, Evangeline Township; Heath Meeder, Boyne City Parks and Recreations Commission
Middle Row (L to R) – Ron Grunch, Boyne City Mayor; Jo Bowman, Boyne City Parks and Recreation Commission; Tom Neidhamer, BC City Commission; Mike Sheean; BC Park and Rec Comm; Barb Brooks, BC Harbor Master/Executive Assistant; Michael Cain, BC City Manager; Annie Doyle, BC Asst. Planner; Jan Kellogg, Economic Dev. Specialist, Northern Lakes Economic Alliance and Networks Northwest.
Front Row (L to R) – Julianne Doyle Dreyer and Liam Doyle Dreyer
“With the funds from this grant, Old City Park will serve as an economic development tool by directing visitors and residents to local businesses and activities,” said Annie Doyle, Boyne City Assistant Planner.
This grant program is one component of northwest Lower Michigan’s response to the Governor’s state-wide Regional Prosperity Initiative that was signed into law as a part of the FY 2014 budget (59 PA 2013). The Regional Prosperity Initiative’s goal is to encourage local private, public and non-profit partners to create vibrant regional economies through collaboration and local decision making.
The Regional Prosperity Initiative Community Growth Grants Program is intended to strengthen the region by removing barriers and creating incentives for greater public and private sector investment in the region. Successful projects will create the conditions for sustainable and efficient growth and development by implementing strategies that are consistent with local values, community goals, and the Regional Prosperity Initiative. Grants of up to $7,500 and/or technical assistance were awarded on a competitive basis to governments within northwest Lower Michigan.
Funding for the program is provided by a State of Michigan Regional Prosperity Initiative Grant (Michigan Department of Technology, Management, & Budget) received by Networks Northwest with support from the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance.
For more information, please contact a staff member at Networks Northwest Regional Planning.
The professionals at Networks Northwest help our City Council, Planning Commission, and staff make thoughtful decisions to ensure our community is sustainable and resilient for many years to come.
- Mark Heydlauff, Charlevoix City Manager