U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for Michigan Brandon Fewins today announced a $555,000 grant to improve economic development in Marquette.
“USDA Rural Development is always seeking new partners to help foster innovation and growth,” said Fewins. “This represents a tremendous opportunity for entrepreneurs in the Marquette area.”
The Innovation Marquette Enterprise Corp. will use a Rural Innovation Stronger Economy grant to create the Marquette Outdoor Venture Innovation Center, which will provide outreach, incubator and accelerator services for outdoor recreation entrepreneurs. The project will provide space for developing and testing outdoor recreation innovation related to mobility, limited mobility, and autonomous drive systems and their products, services, and startup ventures. This project is expected to create 19 jobs in the outdoor recreation field.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate, smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.