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Cherry Beach Project Achieves Fundraising Goal in Bid to Save Waterfront

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It’s not unusual at all to hear somebody toss off the exclamation, “Thanks a million!” What is unusual however, is to be able to say “Thanks a $1.1-Million!” to the more than 800 individuals, organizations and businesses who pledged more than that for the Cherry Beach Project in Chikaming Township. Especially in light of the fact the mission was accomplished in less than 100 days.

It’s true, Chikaming Township’s efforts to acquire a pristine Lake Michigan property adjacent to Cherry Beach got a big boost as supporters, in just three short months, raised more than $1.1 million, the minimum 25-percent financial match required by The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF).

Without the match, the Cherry Beach Project would not be considered for this important grant that would pay the other 75-percent of the estimated $4.4 million property purchase and project costs.

Chikaming Township Supervisor David Bunte is understandably ecstatic, saying, “In less than 100 days, more than 800 individuals, organizations and businesses pledged over $1.1 million, meeting the 25-percent State financial match and beating the October 1st deadline. We are absolutely thrilled with the enormous community support and participation.”

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Bunte emphasized that the 25-percent match does not guarantee award of the grant but is a mandatory requirement for consideration. He says, “Now we wait patiently until mid-December when the State announces grant recipients.”

A grassroots group of citizens called The Cherry Beach Committee led the fundraising efforts. The Committee was energized early on from the support of two important Southwest Michigan organizations: The Carls Foundation, which in May issued a $250,000 challenge grant in partnership with the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy and The Upton Foundation, which awarded the Project a $50,000 challenge grant in June.

The wooded lakefront parcel eliciting such remarkable community enthusiasm is immediately adjacent to the beautiful Cherry Beach Park which was deeded to the Township by the Warren family in 1922. If the grant is awarded, the Township intends to keep the parcel in its natural state for the enjoyment of generations in perpetuity.

There are 7 miles of lakefront in Chikaming Township, however only 2-percent is public. Buying the adjacent land would extend the Park’s beachfront from 253 feet to 657 feet, a 250-percent increase. It would also protect 3 acres of hardwood trees not harvested since just after the 1871 Great Fire in Chicago.

If the Township succeeds in securing the State’s trust fund grant, the final purchase price will be determined by two appraisals paid for by the State after the grant award is announced in December 2018. The Berrien Community Foundation (BCF), a charitable 501(c)(3), is acting as the repository for financial pledges c/o The Cherry Beach Project. The foundation will to continue to accept pledges through cherrybeachproject.com until the grant status is known in December.

The Cherry Beach Project is a public-private initiative led by The Cherry Beach Committee in partnership with Chikaming Township. The Committee is comprised of concerned Township property owners and is actively assisted by other area volunteers, local businesses and by Southwest Michigan not-for-profit organizations. In addition to The Southwest Land Conservancy and The Berrien Community Foundation, other Project partners include The Conservation Fund and The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission. A complete list of supporters and more information is available at cherrybeachproject.com.

Click the link to see a thank you message from the committee which will be shared in publications around Harbor Country:

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