Circle Power’s Groveland Area Improvement Grant Funds Cleanup, Invasive Species Management, and Picnic Area at the Groveland Mine Ponds
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 9, 2025
aw@platform-communications.com
Dickinson County, Mich. - Circle Power Renewables is excited to announce that the Groveland Area Improvement Grant is awarding $20,000 to the Wild Rivers Invasive Species Coalition and $5,000 to Wildlife Unlimited of Dickinson County for projects that will enhance the Groveland Mine Pond area on Michigan DNR lands in Dickinson County.
Circle Power established the Groveland Area Improvement Fund with the Dickinson Area Community Foundation to provide $25,000 in grants for organizers of recreation or habitat improvement projects in the Groveland Mine Pond or Pine Creek Basin area.
The fund was targeted to support initiatives that enhance the local environment and promote community engagement. The grantees were chosen by a committee of area sportsmen representing several Dickinson County sportsmen’s clubs: Upper Peninsula Sportsmen’s Alliance, Wildlife Unlimited of Dickinson County, the East Dickinson Sportsmen’s Club, and the Dickinson County Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited.
“The process of granting this award was a true partnership between Circle Power, the Dickinson Area Community Foundation, and Dickison County’s sportsmen’s groups,” said Circle Power CEO Jordan Roberts. “We are grateful for the time and expertise these partners committed to ensuring the funds will be used impactfully, in a way that will benefit the environment and visitors to the Groveland Mine Ponds.”
“We were proud to partner with Circle Power and Dickinson area sportsmen’s groups for this grant opportunity,” said Tamara Juul, Executive Director of the Dickinson Area Community Foundation. “We appreciate how the sportsmen came together to help us positively impact the community and outdoor recreation.”
The Wild Rivers Invasive Species Coalition (WRISC) has been awarded a $20,000 grant to focus on managing and reducing invasive species, including phragmites, as well as harmful litter at the Groveland Mine Ponds. WRISC is a local conservation group representing multiple partner organizations throughout northeastern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. They have been dedicated to the management of invasive species on our lands and waters through cooperation, education, prevention, and control since 2009.
WRISC’s project aims to enhance the quality of the habitat while preserving the area’s beauty and recreational value for visitors who fish, hunt, and recreate at the Groveland Mine Ponds. The grant will support three seasons of work beginning this spring and summer and continuing through 2027.
“We’re excited to get to work at the Groveland Mine Ponds this summer,” said Lindsay Peterson, WRISC grant coordinator. “This funding is providing our partners the opportunity to manage invasive species and clean up an area that many visitors enjoy. Be on the lookout for a volunteer day this summer, and we look forward to sharing how the project progresses!”
Wildlife Unlimited of Dickinson County will use the $5,000 to add a picnic area at the Mine Ponds at a site that has a fishing pier and vault toilet. Current Wildlife Unlimited President Mike Anderson chaired the selection committee:
“We are pleased that Circle Power committed funding to improve habitat and recreational use for our community members. By preserving these ecosystems, we not only safeguard the species that call the Mine Ponds home, but we ensure that visitors will get the most out of spending time fishing and recreating in the area. I appreciate the thoughtful work of my fellow committee members in assisting with the promotion of the grant and evaluating the great applications we received.”
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About Groveland Mine Solar: Located in Dickinson County, Mich., Groveland Mine Solar is an economic development opportunity for the region that will provide new revenue to local governments and create construction jobs. Ground-mounted solar arrays will be sited on public and private lands of the decommissioned Groveland Mine, which operated from the early 1950s until 1981 under the ownership of the Hanna Mining Company. Groveland Mine Solar has signed a letter of intent with the Upper Peninsula Building Trades Council to guarantee that the project will be constructed with union labor. The project is proudly supported by Operating Engineers 324, Laborers’ Union Local 1329, Michigan Association of Carpenters & Millwrights, IBEW Local 906, the U.P. Building Trades Council, and the Upper Peninsula Construction Council.