USDA Announces Bates Township Hall Improvements and Holds Opportunity Zone Roundtables

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Michigan State Director Dom Restuccia today announced a $250,000 investment to relocate and renovate the Bates Township Hall in Iron County. The hall serves as the center for the township government and an election polling location.

The funding announcement was made while Rural Development was co-hosting an Opportunity Zone roundtable in Marquette. Another Opportunity Zone roundtable will take place on June 25 in Sault Ste. Marie.

"Under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the Trump-Vance U.S. Department of Agriculture is committed to supporting the local governments across rural America, including municipalities like Bates Township," said Restuccia. "Local government is the cornerstone of local control and community-based decisions. We are proud to play a small part in supporting the people and local government of Bates Township."

USDA provided the funding through its Community Facilities program to the Bates Hall Preservation Society to relocate and restore the historic Bates Township Hall. The hall's foundation is deteriorating due to weathering and the proximity to road traffic and runoff. USDA funding will help build a new concrete basement foundation for the township hall, as well as additional facility layout improvements and a new porch. The total project cost is $500,000 with the recipient providing $250,000.

Opportunity Zones are economically distressed communities, defined by individual census tract, nominated by America's Governors, and certified by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury via their delegation of authority to the Internal Revenue Service. Under certain conditions, new investments in Opportunity Zones may be eligible for preferential tax incentives.

"Opportunity Zones represent a unique opportunity to boost investment and improve economic conditions in rural Michigan communities," said USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement Senior Advisor Jason Allen. "This is not a top-down, one-size-fits-all program, it is community-based and community-driven and focuses on practical solutions."

USDA Rural Development invests in rural America with programs to promote rural prosperity. These programs expand access to high-speed internet, electricity and infrastructure, and support economic growth, healthcare, education, housing and other community essentials. Discover more investment details and historical data in the Rural Data Gateway and learn more about the agency at www.rd.usda.gov/mi .