Dairy Business Builder Grant Now Accepting Applications

Dairy Business Builder Grant Now Accepting Applications

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For immediate release: January 30, 2025

Media contact: Lynsey Mukomel, 517-290-1734

Program contact: Emily Slatter, 608-301-7751

Dairy Business Builder Grant Now Accepting Applications

Michigan dairy farms and processors are encouraged to apply

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan dairy farms and producers can once again apply for funding to support and grow their operations, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring announced today.

The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) – which MDARD joined in Sept. 2022 – is now accepting applications for the Dairy Business Builder Grant opportunity. The grant encourages small and medium-sized dairy farmers, entrepreneurs, and processors in the Midwest to pursue projects such as dairy farm diversification, on-farm processing, value-added product creation, and efforts to market dairy products for export.

“The dairy industry in Michigan continuously makes a large economic impact while providing nutritious products across the state,” said Director Boring. “This funding will support growth and sustainability, so we’re encouraging dairy farms, processors and producers to apply.”

Since its creation in the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill, the DBIA has awarded over 250 grants totaling more than $20 million to dairy businesses within the Midwest service area. Reimbursement grants of up to $100,000 each will be awarded to different dairy businesses after a competitive review process.

During previous rounds of funding, 44 businesses were awarded over $3.5 million. Two Michigan companies were among those awarded during the last round: Leelanau Cheese Company and Reny Picot – Old Europe Cheese, Inc. Information on previous award recipients is located on the grant website.

Applicants are encouraged to attend a webinar for the Dairy Business Builder Grant that will take place Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 1 p.m. Central Time. Registration for the webinar can be found on the DBIA website. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Central Time on April 2, 2025. Award announcements will occur in late May 2025.

For more information on grant opportunities and DBIA, visit the DBIA website.

OAA Basketball Top 23

OAA Basketball Top 23

OAA Basketball Top 23.

Written Saturday January 25 at 8:45 AM

Boys

1. Clarkston 12-3: When Quinn Rosenburg shoots threes look out.

2. Avondale 10-6: What happened against North Farmington, Yellow Jackets???

3. Groves 11-4: Falcons still not a finished product, trying to figure out the Summit Academy loss.

4. Oxford 14-0: Wildcats have been rolling but they haven’t had a close game yet.

5. Lake Orion 11-5: Dragons didn’t have their best against Troy, good teams finds ways to win.

6. Farmington 12-4: Falcons have responded nicely since the M-24 trips.

7. Rochester 11-4: Falcons have been really impressing me lately.

8. Pontiac 8-5: Phoenix have their biggest test looming.

9. Ferndale 6-10: Eden Vinyard has been on a tear lately.

10. North Farmington 7-8: Raiders have been up and down lately.

11. Troy 7-8: Colts have been playing much better basketball lately.

12. Royal Oak 7-7: Something feels different about this Ravens team.

13. West Bloomfield 5-9: Lakers defense is still a major concern.

14. Bloomfield Hills 9-5: Blackhawks starting to turn things around.

15. Stoney Creek 7-7: Cougars haven’t been able to put it together yet.

16. Adams 3-12: Highlanders have played a tough schedule, better than their record indicates.

17. Troy Athens 4-11: When Nate Appledorn shoots threes look out.

18. Ferndale University 7-8: Eagles will be fine despite tough loss.

19. Southfield Arts and Tech 5-11: Warriors have been an odd team to figure out.

20. Seaholm 1-13: This article by Hometown Life’s Brandon Folsom explains the Maples. https://www.hometownlife.com/story/sports/2025/01/23/birmingham-seaholm-boys-basketball-loses-to-lake-orion-65-46/77830883007/

21. Oak Park 4-5: Knights have been struggling lately.

22. Berkley 3-12: Bears are going through it right now.

23. Harper Woods 3-9: Andre Cast has a lot of potential for the Pioneers.

Girls

1. Clarkston 9-5: Brooklyn Covert is the key to the Wolves season.

2. Avondale 10-2: Sasha McClellan has been on a tear lately.

3. West Bloomfield 7-5: Sheridan Beal has been on a tear lately.

4. Rochester 8-3: Falcons may have found that guard in Taylor Parsons.

5. Stoney Creek 8-3: Merrick Schlawbach is the key to the Cougars season.

6. Lake Orion 9-5: Even when under the weather Izzy Wotlinski finds ways to score.

7. Seaholm 9-3: Maples no longer control their destiny right now.

8. Berkley 9-4: 74 points after a tough loss to Lake Orion, jeez.

9. Ferndale 5-7: Eagles lack of depth starting to become an issue.

10. Adams 6-6: Jordan Jarrell has been the key to the Highlanders success.

11. Oxford 4-9: Wildcats have been up and down lately.

12. Royal Oak 5-6: Ravens have lost a ton of close games lately.

13. Southfield Arts and Tech 7-5: Warriors defense is still an issue.

14. Ferndale University 7-4; Eagles clearly a better team than last season.

15. Troy Athens 6-7: Red Hawks are a classic Scooby Doo team.

16. Troy 3-8: Nadia Auger has been making an impact lately.

17. Bloomfield Hills 3-6: Brianna Young really carrying Blackhawks right now.

18. Groves 2-9: Falcons are really struggling right now.

19. Pontiac 5-3: Getting a week off should help the Phoenix.

20. Harper Woods 5-4: Can’t really figure the Pioneers out right now.

21. North Farmington 4-9: Raiders got a nice win over Corunna.

22. Farmington 3-9: Falcons haven’t been themselves as of late.

23. Oak Park 0-6: Knights really struggling right now.

OAA Basketball Top 23

Clarkston has a new Softball Coach

Clarkston has a new Softball Coach.

Written Thursday January 23rd at 4:25 PM

Clarkston softball will have a new softball coach this spring.

The Wolves named Melissa Smythe as their new coach, she takes over for Coach Katie Smith who stepped down after going 7-25 last season.

Clarkston has not been the same softball program since the pandemic. The Wolves are 21-44 in three seasons, something that Smythe needs to turn around.

Smythe was the junior varsity coach at Clarkston for two years and has been coaching softball for 12 years according to the press release.

“Melissa is looking forward to coaching Clarkston student athletes at the Varsity level and continuing  the growth and development of the softball program while fostering a positive and supportive team culture” the press release said.

The Wolves will be in the Red with Division One runner up and arch rival Lake Orion, along with Oxford, North Farmington, Stoney Creek, Adams, Bloomfield Hills, and West Bloomfield. They will be in a district at Oxford that has Lake Orion, Oxford, Waterford Kettering, and Waterford Mott as well.

It will be really interesting to see what Smythe brings to Clarkston and can she be the one that turns the program around???

Here is the press release from X

https://x.com/CTownAthletic/status/1882491729582174457/photo/1

MDOT awards grants to projects

MDOT awards grants to projects

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2025

 

MEDIA CONTACT
Michael Frezell
517-281-6519
[email protected]

MDOT awards grants to projects that will support more than
478 jobs and investment in Detroit and Grayling

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced today two state Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) grants that will support a total of 478 new jobs and $3.1 billion of private investment in the city of Detroit and Grayling Township.  

 

“Today’s investments to fix the damn roads will support 478 good-paying jobs and more than $3 billion of investment in Detroit and Grayling,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “In 2025, we’re focused on growing our economy, creating jobs for Michiganders, and making sure Michigan leads the future of key industries from health care and manufacturing to defense. These projects will upgrade roads around Henry Ford Health and improved access to Saab, Inc. and the Grayling community so we can keep moving our state forward. Let’s keep working together to power our economic development strategy and make Michigan an even better place to live, work, and invest.” 

Last Call to Apply for the Oakland Together 40 Under 40 Class of 2025

Last Call to Apply for the Oakland Together 40 Under 40 Class of 2025

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40 Under 40 reception

Last Call to Apply for the Oakland Together 40 Under 40 Class of 2025

Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter’s Oakland Together 40 Under 40 program is looking to recognize dynamic individuals making an impact in their community or career for the class of 2025. Apply before 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31: OakGov.info/40under40_2025.

“We’re excited to continue celebrating the remarkable young leaders in Oakland County,” said County Executive Dave Coulter. “Through Oakland Together 40 Under 40, we acknowledge and honor those who embody our county’s vision of ‘All Ways, Moving Forward.’ These individuals are driving positive change and making a significant impact in our communities.”

A panel of judges comprised of community and county leaders will recommend the 40 award recipients. Award winners will receive an invitation to the 2026 State of the County Address and pre-reception and the Oakland Together 40 under 40 Award celebration.

To be eligible, a candidate must live or work in Oakland County, be 18 years of age or older, and have been born after Dec. 31, 1984. For more information or to apply, go to www.oakgov.com/40under40.

APPLY NOW

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