Michigan
Michigan State Park staffing shortages cause concerns ahead of Memorial Day Weekend
LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – From the shores of West to East Michigan, to the attractive forested state parks, there’s definitely no scarcity of summer season enjoyable — however there’s a scarcity of those that run the enjoyable.
It’s been a lovely spring and the climate has lots of people planning to spend time in Michigan’s parks. The town and parks are having bother maintaining with demand as a result of they’re coping with main staffing shortages.
Mid-Michigan communities discover options to lifeguard scarcity
The Michigan Division of Pure Sources says staffing was already declining in 2019. Then final 12 months, the DNR reached 90 p.c of the staffing wanted. However this 12 months, Ron Olson mentioned they’re behind.
“We’re making an attempt to inform individuals you understand, hey you’ve acquired the most effective surroundings for a summer season job that you may have in a state park,” mentioned Olson.
Proper now Olson mentioned the Michigan DNR solely has about 860 spots of 1,300 wanted to maintain their parks working easily.
To make up for the dearth of staffing, the DNR has employed some contractors however that doesn’t clarify why fewer persons are making use of for what was once a fascinating summer season job. Each retirees and highschool college students have utilized much less to work summer season jobs.
“We simply assume that the entire thought of a summer season job for individuals has modified rather a lot prior to now in all probability 5 or 6 years,” mentioned Olson.
Olson attributes that to traits but in addition to pay. Proper now DNR summer season staff make a little bit over $10. There’s at the moment funding in place to lift that pay to $15 per hour. That could possibly be a part of the answer, however the DNR isn’t alone within the subject.
Emily Stevens, with Parks and Recreation of the Metropolis of Lansing, mentioned they’ve lowered their hiring age to 16 in hopes that top schoolers will apply. Till then, they’ve needed to make some adjustments to their summer season camp packages.
The Michigan DNR mentioned staffing shortages gained’t change the standard of tenting journeys. They’ve modified what number of campsites are in use to maintain up with excessive demand with low workers.
“We’re additionally limiting our camps to solely Lansing residents this 12 months for the primary time,” mentioned Stevens.
However proper now each the DNR and Lansing mentioned they want these purposes.
“It has made it laborious and it breaks our hearts as a result of we wish to serve our households and make it possible for there’s a secure place for youths to go,” mentioned Stevens.
When you’re keen on working in our state parks and are 18 and above, you will discover an software right here.
When you’re fascinating in working in Lansing Parks and Recreation and are above the age of 16, you will discover an software right here.
Copyright 2022 WILX. All rights reserved.
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Michigan
Michigan Economic Development Corporation celebrates placemaking grant
MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its placemaking grant.
The Public Spaces, Community Places Grant was used to fund projects like the Marquette Skate Plaza.
Skate Plaza Committee Member Nheena Weyer Ittner said this was one of the first projects that used the program’s funding.
“It was a learning experience for them, huge learning experience for the skate plaza,” Ittner said. “We ended up being successful after a hectic, scary, exhilarating month-long campaign.”
MEDC Senior Community Development Manager Lindsey Clark explained the grant uses crowdfunding to generate public attention and interest in placemaking projects.
“We really focus on gathering that support from the community through crowdfunding for the projects,” Clark said. “Then the MEDC is able to come in and help match that local support to bring the projects to life.”
The grant used to match crowdfunding up to $50,000. Over the years, Clark explained the grant’s cap has been raised to $75,000 to incentivize inclusive projects.
“If your project incorporates that ADA and universal design to the project,” Clark said. “We are really trying to focus on bringing projects that are available for all types of folks to enjoy in the community.”
The Marquette Skate Plaza was crowdfunded with $10,000 and then was matched by the MEDC.
Ittner said grants like this encourage involvement from the community.
“When you have that matching fund kind of dangled in front of you, it just makes people more willing to give,” Ittner said. “Because they know that if we get to a particular goal the MEDC will make their dollar double.”
Marquette is one of the last stops for the MEDC’s Public Spaces, Community Places Grant Tour. Representatives will be heading downstate on Saturday.
Copyright 2024 WLUC. All rights reserved.
Michigan
Morning 4: Missing Fenton man believed to have drowned in SE Michigan lake — and more news
Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day. So, let’s get to the news.
Body pulled from SE Michigan lake belongs to missing Genesee County man
The body of a missing Genesee County man was found Thursday in a private lake at the edge of Livingston County.
See the story here.
Popular chicken restaurant opens new location in Macomb County
A popular chicken restaurant chain has opened its newest location in Macomb County.
Read more here.
Twin girls hurt after lighting powerful firework in bathroom of Metro Detroit home
Twin 11-year-old girls were injured Thursday after they brought a powerful firework into a bathroom in their River Rouge home and lit it.
See more here.
Biden’s debate performance spurs Democratic panic about his ability to lead party against Trump
Above all, Joe Biden’s allies wanted him to demonstrate strength and energy on the debate stage to help put to rest questions about the 81-year-old Democrat’s physical and mental acuity.
But on the biggest stage in U.S. politics on Thursday night, Biden did not meet their modest expectations.
Read the report here.
Weather: Storms this weekend in Metro Detroit: What to expect
Copyright 2023 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
Michigan
Michigan voters react to debate | CNN Politics
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