Great Lakes Wire

The city of Manistee will become a more attractive tourist destination after receiving an $850,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration.

According to a state government news release, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made the announcement Tuesday and said the money will go toward renovating the city’s downtown riverwalk adjacent to the Manistee River.

“Tourism is a critical economic driver in many communities across the nation,” Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo said in the release. “This project will strengthen Manistee’s competitiveness as a tourist attraction in West Michigan, resulting in job creation and economic resiliency in the region.”

Whitmer said that rehabbing Manistee’s downtown riverwalk would not only help the local economy but also add 50 jobs to the area.

“In the last year, we have worked across the aisle in Michigan to make the largest one-time investment in state and local parks in Michigan history, supporting local tourism and recreation-driven economies across our great state,” Whitmer said. “Today’s Michigan’s economy is growing, with low unemployment, 133,000 jobs added in the last year, and transformational projects bringing billions in investment and creating thousands of jobs. I will work with anyone to keep moving Michigan forward.”

The renovation will enhance safety and walking trails along the south riverwalk with a local $240,000 matching the EDA grant, along with an expected $178,500 in commercial investment.

“Investing in infrastructure is critical to Michigan’s economy,” Michigan Sen. Gary Peters said. “This grant will help the city of Manistee make needed upgrades to the Riverwalk that are important not only for safety but attracting visitors and spurring economic growth.”