WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recently awarded 20 Rural Development Fund Grants statewide, including one to a community in St. Joseph County.
The grants are designed to promote the sustainability of land-based industries and support infrastructure that benefits rural communities.
MDARD Director Gary McDowell said funds will be helping to develop or support everything from infrastructure and community gardens, to craft beverages and beehives.
The department received 110 proposals with requests totaling more than $8.4 million. Of those, MDARD awarded 20 projects totaling more than $1.4 million, leveraging a match of more than $2.3 million.
The village of Colon received $50,000 toward upgrades to its wastewater treatment plant.
Eligible counties include those with a population no greater than 60,000 residents or micropolitan statistical areas.
