Michigan State University Extension millage passes in Montcalm County

Bill<hendria2@msu.edu> Hendrian - August 08, 2018

On August 7, Montcalm County voters chose to fund Michigan State University Extension and Montcalm Conservation District through a millage. The 0.2-mill request will continue funding for the two organizations for five years and will cost the average homeowner less than $10 a year.

MSU Extension is a three-way funding partnership between local, state and federal government. The county component of the partnership provides residents access to programs addressing specific county needs and to staff embedded in their county. Through this partnership, residents are connected to the university network of experts and to statewide programs in youth development, agriculture, health and nutrition, natural resources protection and development, and community and economic development.

“The community has our commitment to be good stewards of millage funds to further our mission to serve Montcalm County,” said Bill Hendrian, MSU Extension district coordinator. “We pledge to work hard to ensure that we are meeting the needs of Montcalm County residents by providing strong, relevant programming.”

MSU Extension has served in Montcalm County for over 100 years. Over the past year, MSU Extension provided life skills training and opportunities to more than 1,250 youth in programs such as 4-H and helped 3,500 adults and youth through health and nutrition programs. The organization has also contributed to spending $202,620 with local businesses and contributed to an overall total economic impact of $6,325,688 in Montcalm County.

“We’d like to thank all of the people who’ve supported Extension along the way,” Hendrian said. “MSU Extension has been in Montcalm County for over 100 years, and we hope to work for the county for at least 100 years more.”

MSU Extension helps people improve their lives by bringing the vast knowledge resources of MSU directly to individuals, communities and businesses. With a presence in every Michigan county, MSU Extension faculty and staff members help grow Michigan’s economy by equipping Michigan residents with the information that they need to do their jobs better, raise healthy and safe families, build their communities and empower their children to dream of a successful future.

To find out more about MSU Extension programs and services in Montcalm County, visit canr.msu.edu/Montcalm-County.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).