Contact:
Kathleen Achtenberg, MEDC
517.489.0557
[email protected]

Jenifer Kilpela
NTN Community Outreach Coordinator
906-458-5780
[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 20, 2024

$50,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

Photo Credit : Floline Media

LANSING, Mich. – The Noquemanon Trails Network Council (NTN) will be completing the final loop of a long developing trail system in the Upper Carp River Canyon just south of Marquette through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and NTN announced the campaign today, which is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by May 1st, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/ntn.

“This project will complete a multi-use outdoor recreation area within a magnificent environment in Marquette,” said MEDC Regional Prosperity Managing Director Paula Holtz. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

Since the initial development of the South Trail Master Plan following the purchase of the Heartwood Forest in South Marquette, the NTN has envisioned four unique loops forming the core of the trail system, allowing non-motorized trail users access to the entire spectacular property. The trails are open to hikers, bikers, walkers, and any non-motorized users and immerse visitors in the beauty of the Heartwood Forest.

The Carp River Loop, long known to locals as the ‘Yellow Trail’ due to the original sign color, has been the final loop to be developed in the system due to the challenges entailed, rugged, remote terrain and river crossings. This campaign will complete that final portion of the Yellow Loop in the South Trail System and provide non-motorized access to more than 200 acres of public land owned by the City of Marquette, along with additional land and trails on adjacent private land that will be open to the public.

“A successful NTN-Raging River Trail fundraising campaign will fulfill the longtime dream of a complete Yellow Loop in the NTN South Trail system,” said Lori Hauswirth, Executive Director of NTN Trails. “The opportunity to leverage donations 1-to-1 through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places matching grant program makes a project like this possible. We are excited to move this project from idea to ground with the MEDC’s support.”

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

“The completion of these trail projects will provide multiple benefits to the Marquette community,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal League. “These trails will attract members from within and outside the community, and they will give users an amazing way to form connections with each other and the world around them.”

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of March 19, 2024, MEDC has provided more than $12.4 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 370 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $14 million raised from 68,467 individual donors. Communities have a 97 percent success rate in achieving their goals and earning matching funds.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

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