March 1, 2024—LANSING, Mich. — The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park will receive a $700,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to help grow educational and recreational programming for the community.
The 25-acre botanic garden at 1490 Red Drive in Garfield Township will use the funding to develop a community education center and a children’s sensory garden.
The grant is part of $64 million in Community Center grant funding being awarded to municipalities and organizations across the state.
Other recipients in the region include: The Wexford County Airport Authority, $1 million; The Boys and Girls Club of Alpena, $150,000; Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan, $250,000; Communities in Schools of Northwest Michigan, $300,000; and SEEDS Ecology and Education Centers, $250,000.
The American Rescue Plan Act provided $60 million of these awards, and $4 million is coming from the state Legislature through the fiscal year 2024 Supplemental Budget Bill.
The Michigan Community Service Commission managed the grant process.
