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Who Funds Us

February 11, 2014

The Iron Ore Heritage Trail is funded by a multitude of sources.  The most significant source for us is the millage that was passed in 2010 by seven communities:  Chocolay Township, City of Marquette, Marquette Township, Negaunee Township, City of Negaunee, City of Ishpeming,  and Tilden Township.  In 2011, Republic Township joined as well.  We will raise approximately $1.6 million through the six years of the millage.  Our local people have decided they want this interpretive trail and have provided our local match monies.  We have taken those dollars and leveraged them through various grants and raised another $3.5M.  Our thanks to the MDOT Transportation Enhancement Funds for their support of over $1 million.  The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund has also been a huge contributor with over $1 million going to build the trail.  We have also been fortunate to have Cliffs Foundation provide $250,000 toward our trail development and interpretation.  The Cliffs Eagle Mine Community Foundation has provided another $156,000 towards our future projects:  including trail upgrades in Ishpeming, Tilden, and Republic Townships and trailhead facilities.

Many smaller grants have also been secured.  They have helped us build trails and interpret the stories.  They include Michigan Council for the Arts; Michigan Trails and Greenways, DALMAC, the KBIC Fund, Ishpeming Negaunee Rotary, and our local community foundations. 

We thank each and every one of them for their support.  We hope to continue building, managing, and maintaining the Iron Ore Heritage Trail far into the future.