Michigan DNR Considers Acquisition of Railroad Grades for Trails

HURLEY, WI - by Will Andresen - Wednesday, September 15, 2010 – Here is a quick update on the Gogebic Range Next Generation Initiative:

Perhaps the biggest news is that we have now acquired resolutions of support from every municipality along the proposed regional trail route from Montreal, Wisconsin to Wakefield, Michigan. Plus, we received additional resolutions or letters of support from numerous organizations throughout the community – a total of 30 such resolutions from the two-county area (see list below).

We learned yesterday that the Michigan DNR is considering acquiring the two railroad grades between Ironwood and Ramsay for the purpose of developing two separate trail systems – one for motorized and one for non-motorized recreation and transportation. They will be reviewing their internal state-wide priorities next Monday (September 20th). We have already sent them copies of the resolutions and letters we have already collected. We are also asking individuals, businesses, and organizations to also tell the MDNR representatives how important this acquisition project is to our two-county community. Please e-mail Ron Yesney (yesneyr@michigan.gov) and Roger Storm (stormr@michigan.gov). Since they are meeting on Monday, please send them your comments this week.

We continue to receive positive comments from visitors to our www.felivelife.com website promoting our community as a great place to live, especially for those seeking an adventure lifestyle. We’ve had over 3,000 hits from 646 cities across the country (and 16 other countries). From this site, we have received several direct requests for additional information such as employment opportunities, relocation packets and tourism information.

We are promoting this website through the distribution of free Fe bumper stickers. Maybe you’ve seen these around town. If you’d like one sent to you, please let me know and I’ll send you one right away.

We’re also promoting the site through a Facebook page entitled “Felivelife.com” (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/FeLiveLifecom/116514315029971?ref=ts). We’re in the middle of a photo contest – take your picture with the Fe logo and post it on Facebook for a chance to win a free Stormy Kromer cap. Categories include: 1) Most Creatife; 2) Most Scenic; and 3) Furthest Distance.

The Facebook page already has over 550 fans. Become a fan, invite your friends!

Gogebic Range Next Generation Initiative - “Strengthen Our Niche” Workgroup Resolutions of Support for Regional Trail System

  • Iron County Board of Supervisors
  • Iron County Resource Development Association, Inc.
  • City of Hurley
  • Hurley Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Hurley School District
  • City of Montreal
  • Town of Kimball
  • Gogebic County Board of Commissioners
  • Gogebic County Economic Development Commission
  • Ironwood City Commission
  • Ironwood Parks and Recreation Committee
  • Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Ironwood Area Schools Board of Education
  • Charter Township of Ironwood
  • Erwin Township
  • City of Bessemer
  • Bessemer Downtown Development Authority
  • Bessemer Chamber of Commerce
  • Bessemer Area School District
  • Township of Bessemer
  • City of Wakefield
  • Wakefield Planning Commission
  • Wakefield Chamber of Commerce
  • Wakefield-Marenisco School District
  • Township of Wakefield
  • Marenisco Township
  • Board Grand View Health System
  • Gogebic Community College
  • Western Upper Peninsula Convention and Visitor Bureau
  • Ni-Miikanaake Chapter of the North Country Trail Association