The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced the second round of the Michigan Spark Grant will open on May 1. The grant program was created through the passage of my bill last term, Senate Bill 565.

SB 565, signed into law as Public Act 53 of 2022, provided up to $65 million to help communities across the state to redevelop or create outdoor recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. Applications for the Michigan Spark Grant’s second round opened May 1 and will run through June 26. Eligible applicants must be local units of government or public authorities legally designated to provide public recreation or regional or statewide organizations of such entities working together.

Individual grant amounts will range from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $1 million and will be distributed in three rounds:

All projects must be completed by Dec. 31, 2026. For more information, including program details and to watch a recorded informational webinar, please visit the Michigan Spark Grant website here.

Michigan’s individual income tax rate will fall to 4.05% — down from the current 4.25% — for the 2023 tax year. While this is a positive step for Michigan taxpayers, I believe we can be doing more. The tax reduction should be permanent — unfortunately, the attorney general’s recent opinion stated that it should be temporary.

When this legislation was passed through the Michigan Legislature and signed by the governor, it was intended to be a permanent tax cut. The fight for long-lasting tax relief is not over. My colleagues and I will do all that we can in our power to ensure this permanent tax relief, because Michiganders deserve to be able to keep more of what they earn.

Last year, the school aid budget, Public Act 144 of 2022, included a requirement that student growth data be available to the public at the district and school levels and by grade and subjects taught.

The Michigan Department of Education recently unveiled a new website that offers tools to provide teachers, parents and policymakers with a visual representation of growth and achievement for public schools and districts. This information allows for a comparison of schools and districts across the state and includes interactive reports for selecting the data of interest.

The MI School Data website is another available tool that offers various methods to review statewide information or data at the intermediate school district, district, school, or college level. Data are presented in graphs, charts, and trend lines and can be downloaded to make informed decisions to improve student success.

It’s time to purchase your 2023 ORV licenses and trail permits. Permits are valid for one year and provide access to 4,000 miles of state-designated ORV trails and scramble areas, eligible county, state or national forest roads and more.

The fees generated through ORV licenses and trail permits are reinvested back into the ORV system for trail expansion, grant funding for annual trail grooming, and infrastructure improvements.

ORV licenses and trail permits can be purchased online or in person at a number of DNR license agents and dealers.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is responsible for the care of approximately 4.6 million acres of public land.

In 2018, the Legislature approved a Managed Public Land Strategy, requiring the DNR to review approximately 240,000 acres of state-owned land to determine how the land fits into the DNR’s overall mission of “conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations.” The parcels under review are either under 200 acres or land with an irregular boundary that may be difficult to manage.

The review will determine whether to keep, exchange or sell state-managed land and is being conducted on a county-by-county basis, 10 to 11 counties at a time. Cheboygan, Crawford, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Muskegon, Osceola, Otsego, and Ottawa counties are currently under review.

An important element of the review process is public input. You can view the final classifications or submit comments or feedback for the group of counties using the DNR’s interactive map. Comments will be accepted through Wednesday, June 7.

For more information about the review process, visit the Natural Resources Commission website or watch a recording from previous meetings by visiting State Land Review.

During the spring season, black bears become active and can often wander into neighborhoods. Following these simple steps can keep bears safely at a distance and prevent dangerous interactions:

To learn more about the bear population in Michigan and how humans and bears can safely coexist, visit Michigan.gov/bear or being Bear SMART.

Silver Lake — Hart and Pentwater Business After Hours
Thursday, May 4
5:30 — 7:30 p.m.
Up North Farm Market
3890 W. Monroe Road
Hart

Description: Join us for the Silver Lake — Hart and Pentwater Chamber of Commerce After Business Hours and Brochure Swap at the Up North Farm Market! More information here.

West MI Mustang Club
Saturday, May 6
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Betten Baker Ford
3045 US-10
Ludington

Description: West MI Mustang Club will be stopping in Ludington for an overnight on May 6. You might find them at Betten Baker Ford, House of Flavors, the Beach and other places throughout town. More information here.

Hart Lake Area Clean Up Day
Saturday, May 6
10 a.m. — 3 p.m.
Hart Commons
206 E. Main St.
Hart

Description: Come volunteer to help pick up rubbish in designated areas around Hart Lake! More information here.

Brews and Beats Craft Beer, Wine, and Cider Festival
Saturday, May 6
Noon — 5 p.m.
Pentwater Village Green
327 S. Hancock St.
Pentwater

Description: Enjoy live performances, yard games, and food trucks all while sampling beverages from over 20 of Michigan’s best breweries. More information here. 

Muskegon Motorcycle Club Spring Run
Sunday, May 7
8 a.m. — noon
Mt. Garfield
5803 Lake Harbor Road
Muskegon

Description: The 2023 Annual Spring Run is presented by the Muskegon Motorcycle Club. Over 1,000 motorcycles of all kinds are scheduled to be in attendance. More information here.

7th Annual Purse Party Auction with Harbor Hospice
Sunday, May 7
1 — 5 p.m.
White Lake Eagles
1204 S. Lake St.
Whitehall

Description: Doors open at 1 p.m. for the much-anticipated purse party, which features both live and silent auctions with hundreds of fabulous selections from casual clutches to high-end designer bags. More information here.

Ludington Chamber Lunch and Learn
Wednesday, May 10
11 a.m. — 1 p.m.
Mason County Historical Society
130 E. Ludington Ave.
Ludington

Description: The ultimate update on the state of digital marketing and how to use it efficiently and effectively. More Information here.

Artisan Market Grand Re-Opening
Saturday, May 13
9 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.
Artisan Market Village
8660 Water St.
Montague

Description: Join us this Mother’s Day weekend for our Grand Re-Opening Day Event, including live music by Madison Simon. More information here.

WreckFest Demolition Derby
Saturday, May 13
1:30 — 5 p.m.
Mason County Fairgrounds
5302 W. US-10
Ludington

Description: Demolition Derby Pits open at 11 a.m.; pit tickets are $25. Grandstands open at 1:30 p.m.; tickets are $15 for all ages. Show starts at 3 p.m. More information here.

Benzie Area Chamber “Off the Clock” Event
Thursday, May 18
5 — 7 p.m.
Cognition Science Discovery Center
232. N. Michigan Ave.
Beulah

Description: Enjoy an evening of networking and information with Benzie Area Chamber of Commerce. More information here.

Clean Water Recovery Facility Ribbon Cutting
Thursday, May 18
9 a.m. — noon
Clean Water Recovery System
50 Ninth St.
Manistee

Description: Join Manistee Chamber staff and ambassadors at the Clean Water Recovery Facility Ribbon Cutting and official opening celebration. More information here.

Manistee Chamber ‘UnTapped’
Thursday, May 18
5 — 7 p.m.
Portage Point Resort
8567 Portage Point Drive
Onekama

Description: Join us at Portage Point Resort for an evening of great food and drinks. Sponsored by the Manistee offices of Edward Jones. More information here.

Ludington Business After Hours
Thursday, May 18
5 — 7 p.m.
Lincoln Hills Golf Club
1527 N. Lakeshore Drive
Ludington

Description: A time of professional networking, food, and drinks, sponsored by Lincoln Hills Golf Club. Join the fun! More information here.

Muskegon Chamber Business for Breakfast
Friday, May 19
7:30 — 9 a.m.
Muskegon Convention Center
939 Third St.
Muskegon

Description: Join us for a presentation from Muskegon County educational leaders on how they are adapting to meet the workforce needs of the Muskegon Lakeshore. More information here.

Hackley Day Community Celebration
Saturday, May 20
4 — 7 p.m.
Hackley and Hume Historic Site
484 W. Webster Ave.
Muskegon

Description: The Hackley and Hume Historic Site are open for extended hours to celebrate Hackley Day and the kickoff to the 2023 season! More information here.

Oak Grove Cemetery Flag Placement
Monday, May 22
10 a.m. — noon
Oak Grove Cemetery
1040 Veterans Oak Grove Drive
Manistee

Description: In honor of those who sacrificed all for our country, please consider coming out to place flags with Rolling Thunder Michigan Chapter 1. More information here.

Michigan Beer and Brat Festival
Saturday, May 27
4 — 8 p.m.
Crystal Mountain
12500 Crystal Mountain Drive
Thompsonville

Description: Enjoy live entertainment while sampling an enormous selection of Michigan’s finest microbrews, meads, hard ciders, wines, liquors and gourmet brats from northwest Michigan markets. More information here.

Pentwater Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 29
10 — 11 a.m.
Downtown Pentwater

Description: Memorial Parade starts at First Street with line-up at 9:30 a.m. across the street from the Baptist church. More information here.

Fruitport Old Fashioned Days Parade
Monday, May 29
2 — 3:30 p.m.
Pontaluna Road
Fruitport

Description: Annual Fruitport Lions Memorial Day Parade. More information here.