All through Cook County small spaces have been made beautiful or more useful because of grants awarded through the Great Place Project. This bench was one of many projects funded by the collaborative effort of Sawtooth Mountain’s Moving Matters and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce. Great Place Project applications, which can be founded on the Chamber’s website, are due March 15.
In its fifth year, the Great Place Project is seeking proposals that demonstrate a strong ability to promote physical wellbeing, mental wellbeing or both. Grants will range from $250 to $1,000.
Winning projects will be those which demonstrate a keen ability to create small nooks of beauty in the built environment.
“We want to invest in projects with sufficient “pop” that they cause people to stop for a longer look,” said Cook County Chamber of Commerce Director Jim Boyd. “Two examples of that are the outdoor ping pong table in front of the Grand Marais Library, proposed by Ann Possis in 2016, and the mural on the alley side of Birchbark Books & Gifts, proposed, organized and created by Mila Horak with the help of a multitude.
“We also will look favorably on projects that have a large portion of match, whether it is dollars, volunteer labor or donated materials. It is our goal to leverage our small amount of available funds to create projects that are larger than life in their positive impact.
“It is our wish to keep the Great Place Project as informal as possible, so we work to minimize rules,” Boyd said, adding, “However, difficulties over the years cause us to issue the following advice:
1. “If you propose erecting or planting something, especially in a public space, be certain you have all the clearances and permits in hand early on. We’ve had projects run into difficulties because their proposers had failed to secure all the necessary permits and agreements required.
2. “Please ensure you can finish your project by July 15. These are intended to be quick-turnaround projects that are available for public use and appreciation before the summer season expires. So be realistic in your proposals and draw limits that are do-able in a couple of months at most. Failure to finish could result in a request that the funds be repaid.”
The 2018 Great Place Project is a collaborative effort of Sawtooth Mountain Clinic’s Moving Matters program and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce.
Applications are due by March 15. Forms suitable for printing can be found on the Chamber website: http://www.cookcountychamber.org/ great_ place_ project
Please submit your application by mail, email (actual signature required, but scanned version accepted) to Cook County Chamber, P.O. Box 805, Grand Marais, MN 55604, ccchamber@boreal.org or drop off at the Chamber office, 15 N. Broadway, Grand Marais (slide under the door if no one is there).
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