October 21, 2003
October 21, 2003
LANSING - Continuing her commitment to the people of Benton Harbor, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that $335,000 is being awarded to the community for mini-grants to fund recreation and prevention programs.
“Recreation, the arts, and culture are all vital components of any thriving community,” Granholm said. “These dollars will help the Benton Harbor community by providing opportunities for citizens both young and old to have fun, to laugh, and to get some good old-fashioned exercise.”
The Benton Harbor Recreation, Arts and Culture Committee, a subcommittee of the newly formed Benton Harbor Task Force, recently identified a need to meet Benton Harbor’s short-term recreation, arts, and cultural needs. The committee has simultaneously worked on a long-term strategy for related activities.
Children and youth will have opportunities for physical activities, music, creative arts, and enrichment activities to promote basic skills and learning. These activities will increase opportunities for positive development of children and youth and allow for creativity in a safe environment.
Granholm made the funds available for this project from the Office of Drug Control Policy and the Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Benton Harbor Area Schools will serve as the fiduciary for this project, while a grant program manager from Benton Harbor has been hired to coordinate and manage the program to ensure that the grant recipient process is effective and accountable.
Mini-grants will be made available for qualified community recreation, arts, and cultural organizations through an application process. For more information, contact The Commune Network Group at (269) 925-3502.
