ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Upper Peninsula State Fair in Escanaba isn’t just about rides and livestock. It’s also a showcase for state investment. Lieutenant Governor Garland Gilchrist and MDARD Director Tim Boring announced millions of dollars in support for local businesses and communities.
“Those initial investments are really important here for us to demonstrate the value of the program, but give us a kind of a launching point to be out talking to communities as well around how we can be working together about building stronger food systems for the benefit of us all,” said Boring.
This year alone, more than a dozen initiatives are being supported, including Ishpeming, Negaunee, and Ely township, receiving $300,000 for safe drinking water infrastructure and new sewer lines. Ishpeming to receive $100,000 to support the Partridge Creek Community Farms expansion project. Escanaba is getting $100,000 to help rainbow packing update and expand its processing capabilities. Iron River’s Willis family farm is receiving $100,000 for improvements. Marquette will receive $100,000 for a rooftop solar project at Northern Michigan University, and Marquette gets $65,000 to help Lakeshore Depot implement a food distribution project.
“We’re going to continue to work with a lot of different communities, do a lot of listening about how we can be part of better solutions in individual communities, of improving local market access for products,” said Boring.
From farms to fairs. State leaders say these projects will help Upper Peninsula residents succeed and grow.
