Mining Journal readers late last week learned that a local group from both the public and private sectors have come together to develop plans that will help guide the Upper Peninsula’s economy — specifically that of outdoor recreation — for years to come.
The Upper Peninsula Recreation Innovation District, headed up the Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development, was created to apply for funding through the federal government’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge, a Mining Journal story on the matter detailed.
While a great many of these kinds of efforts over time have proven to be little more than make-work projects to keep bureaucrats employed, we believe this one is different.
The Journal story noted the program, organized by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, “is designed to assist communities nationwide in their efforts to build back better by accelerating the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building local economies that will be resilient to future economic shocks.”
The grant process will be split into two phases: Phase 1 will award 50-60 regional coalitions of partnering entities $500,000 in technical assistance funds to develop and support three to eight projects to grow a regional growth cluster. In Phase 2, the EDA will award 20-30 regional coalitions $25 million to $75 million and up to $100 million to implement those projects. This money was made available through the American Rescue Plan Act, the Journal story stated.
CUPPAD will be joined by Innovate Marquette SmartZone, Northern Michigan University, Upper Peninsula Michigan Works, Marquette County, the Lake Superior Community Partnership and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.
If for no other reason than the amount of money on the table, this effort is important.
Well beyond the money, however, is the recognition that outdoor recreation should and will continue to play a key role in the region’s economy.
Put another way, a beautiful outdoors in all four seasons is what we have so let’s find new and better the means to maximize that, economically speaking, but to do so in ways that are gentle, sustainable and make sense for all concerned.
This could be game changing. We wish the effort well.
Outdoor economics planning could be game changing | News, Sports, Jobs - Marquette Mining Journal
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