What's happening: The Calumet Theatre has struggled with proper heating for roughly a decade, but a new federal grant administered in Michigan by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will replace the system entirely. Proponents of the grant say that modern heating techniques and infrastructure will help slow down deterioration in the historic building.
How is it funded: The Certified Local Government program serves as a collaboration between local, state, and national authorities to encourage historical conservation at the community level. Managed by the National Park Service in conjunction with the (SHPO), the criteria allow local entities to apply and manage historical efforts. By joining this program, communities become qualified to receive dedicated technical support and engage in programming offered by SHPO.
What they're saying: “The village of Calumet is very excited to work in partnership with the Calumet Theatre Co. and the State Historic Preservation Office through the Certified Local Government program,” said Calumet Village Manager Megan Haselden. “With funding from SHPO, we will be able to restore the heating system which serves the Calumet Village Hall and Calumet Theatre. This restoration will allow us to gather the community for more cultural events during the long U.P. winters, maintain the building’s historic elements, and be a catalyst for the ongoing restoration and rehabilitation of this historic building, truly a jewel of the Keweenaw.”
What's next: Now that funding is locked in, the theater will begin prep and design work for the project. The group will work fast as the theater has received multiple grants like this in the past for HVAC improvements and other infrastructure improvements.
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