The City was recently made aware of a funding opportunity from the United States Economic Development Administration (EDA) that would address a couple of proposed City Projects that have been stalled due to lack of funding.
This grant, if awarded, will transform the city-owned Great Lakes shoreline into more of a tourism destination by creating the new Lake Superior Cultural Arts Trail along 8 miles of existing, ADA-accessible waterfront hiking trail, and by improving public access with nature-based green infrastructure to stabilize and restore prioritized coastal erosion sites and degraded areas immediately adjacent to the proposed Cultural Arts Trail.
Identified project partners include but are not limited to: City of Marquette Community Development, City of Marquette Arts and Culture, Innovate Marquette SmartZone, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and the Superior Watershed Partnership.
The total proposal cost is $1,167,500.00 with a City match of $235,000.00. The City CFO has advised we will be able to budget for the match in the forthcoming budget years when it would be due.
The grant application packet and draft letter of support are attached.