Grant Administration

WUPPDR’s activities that may be classified as “traditional” economic development include private and public works construction projects funded by state or federal agencies such as the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and United States Economic Development Administration (EDA). These can include new buildings, building expansions, and surface and underground road and utility infrastructure. WUPPDR also undertakes planning and feasibility studies when they are deemed necessary to evaluate the need for physical infrastructure.

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Due to WUPPDR’s formal affiliation with EDA, we often assist with funding applications to the agency that originate within the region. In recent years, infrastructure projects WUPPDR has assisted with and subsequently administered grants for include:

  • MTEC SmartZone Business Accelerator facilities

  • “Go! Baraga County” Economic Strategic Plan

  • L’Anse Lambert Road Industrial Park infrastructure

  • Keweenaw Mountain Lodge Best Use Study

  • Hancock Business and Technology Park

WUPPDR also acts as a local liaison to MEDC and employs certified grant administrators to assist with implementation of Community Development Block Grants on a contractual basis. Recent MEDC-funded projects WUPPDR has administered include:

  • Rental housing rehabilitation, villages of Calumet and Laurium

  • Vollwerth Corporation facility expansion, City of Hancock

  • Homeowner Emergency Repair Program, Houghton County

  • Elm Street reconstruction, Village of Calumet

  • Façade restoration for four businesses, Village of Calumet

  • Downtown City Square construction, City of Ironwood

  • Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Access & Placemaking construction, City of Sault Ste. Marie (Eastern U.P. region)

  • Wastewater Treatment System Improvements, Village of Baraga

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Grant administration is a labor-intensive and detail-oriented process. Many local governments lack specialized staff and/or time capacity to self-administer. WUPPDR is able to administer most grants when compliance expertise and “paperwork” are the primary needs.

Grant administration fees vary based on the funding agency, size and complexity of project, and types of staff specializations needed to administer the project. For more information, contact Jerry Wuorenmaa at jwuorenmaa@wuppdr.org or (906) 482-7205 ext. 111.