April 11, 2008

CONTACT: Alec Lloyd

(517) 324-5204

WHAT:

Check presentation ceremonies commemorating more than $17 million in loans and grants for Upper Peninsula communities.

WHO:

Michigan USDA Rural Development Director Gene DeRossett, state and federal legislators, USDA staff and local officials.

WHERE:

Bay Mills, Manistique, Munising, Forsyth Township, Torch Lake Township, Houghton.

WHEN:

From Wednesday, May 7 to Friday, May 9.

WHY:

On May 7, DeRossett will present $279,000 in grants to Bay Mills Indian Community and Bay Mills Community College and $49,000 in grants to the City of Manistique.  On May 8, he will present $13,729,000 in grants and loans for a water and sewer project to the City of Munising in the morning, and a $15,000 grant for a patrol car to Forsyth Township in the afternoon.

The events will conclude on May 9 with a morning presentation of a $2,756,000 loan to Torch Lake Sewer Authority for its sewer system and an afternoon presentation of $301,000 in grants and loans for seven patrol cars and a fire truck for the cities of Houghton, Hancock, Grant Township, Houghton and Keweenaw counties.  This final event will be held in Houghton.

A more detailed schedule with specific time and location information is forthcoming.

The events are open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend.