Commissioner sets up meeting to discuss ladder truck grant

Presque Isle County commissioner Mike Darga has arranged a meeting with an official from the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC) who may be able to assist local officials searching for grant money to purchase a ladder truck. Darga, who represents constituents of the Rogers City area, went to the recent MAC conference in Lansing looking for possible ways to secure financial assistance to bring the specialized fire truck to the area. A meeting is scheduled for March 30 in Rogers City with Flora McCormack, director of the grant services program with MAC, to see what type of funding may be available. With the MAC conference coming up, Darga told Rogers City mayor Beach Hall that he would use the opportunity to ask about the grants.

?When I left Sunday afternoon, I told him I?m going to the MAC convention, and the first thing when I get there, I?m going to see if there are any grants available,? Darga said.

HE TALKED with MAC executive director Tim McGuire about the fire in downtown Rogers City

February 12 that destroyed two buildings and severely damaged a Third Street business. ?You are in luck,? McGuire told Darga. ?Right down at that table is Flora McCormack.? McCormack has a pool of resources available from different people MAC is under contract with who have expertise in specific areas of grant writing.

?When I talked to her in Lansing, she said we?ve got to do it through the county because the city doesn?t belong to MAC,? Darga said. That is when the two set up the meeting for later this month. McCormack tries to match up the consultant with the applicant. The service is free to MAC members.

Most believe a local ladder truck would have prevented further damage to the block of businesses, especially the Painted Lady. Darga realizes there may be some type of grant match need, but with a coordinated effort between the county, city, townships, and possibly the private sector, the time might be right for securing funding.