The United States Department of Agriculture is providing grants to 263 projects focused on infrastructure and economic opportunities in rural America. Among those recipients is Bay Mills Community College in Michigan.
Bay Mills Community College is one of 263 recipients of a $102 million investment from the United States Department of Agriculture. The USDA is funding nearly 300 projects that aim to create economic opportunities and improve infrastructure in rural America.
In Michigan, seven projects are getting funding. Bay Mills Community College is receiving a Tribal College Initiative Grant totalling $348,017.
The funds allocated toward Bay Mills Community College will be used on a number of projects, such as supplies for the construction trade program, purchasing mowing and snow removal equipment, purchasing and upgrading IT equipment for a new bachelor degree program, providing supplies for facility maintenance and community education at Waishkey Bay Farm, buying a 15 passenger van for the transport of students visiting transfer institutions, updating equipment for the health and fitness center, upgrading existing supplies and equipment in the Health Sciences and Science Departments, and establishing a media lab with the capability to create digital content.
In an article by UP Matters, USDA Rural Development State Director Brandon Fewins was quoted on the funding, saying, “This funding will support needed repairs for low income families in rural Michigan and also provide new educational opportunities through our tribal community colleges. As 2022 draws to a close, we are looking forward to building even more partnerships in the coming year.”
Among the seven projects in Michigan that have received funding, a total of $1.2 million was awarded, including the aforementioned Bay Mills Community College funding.
Other projects receiving funding are Arenac, Ogemaw, Alpena, and Osceola Counties, as well as the City of Coldwater using money to improve or repair homes, and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe which will be improving infrastructure such as an outdoor amphitheater classroom.
A full list of the recipients of the USDA grants can be found on the USDA website.
More information about Bay Mills Community College can be found on its website.