Visit Keweenaw awards $100k in 2025 Destination Development grants

UPword Staff | Wednesday, July 9, 2025
What's happening: Visit Keweenaw has awarded $100,000 in grants to support seven community-based projects across Houghton and Keweenaw counties. The grants were awarded through the organization's 2025 Destination Development Fund. The initiative helps enhance outdoor recreation, cultural preservation, and community infrastructure, benefiting both residents and visitors.

What they're saying: “Each overnight stay in the Keweenaw helps make this region better,” said Brad Barnett, who is executive director of Visit Keweenaw. “Tourism doesn’t just support businesses – it supports trail access, land stewardship, and spaces our communities use every day. This program infuses tourism dollars into our community which benefits locals and visitors alike.”

The recipients: Hancock Trails Club, $25,000 for Maasto Hiihto System Trailhead and Skills Park; Keweenaw Snowmobile & Keweenaw ATV Club, $20,000, Calumet Trailhead project; Keweenaw Land Trust, $15,700, Jacob's Falls and Boston Creek improvements and signage; City of Hancock, $15,300, Christmas lights display at Hancock Campground; Swedetown Trails Club, $15,000, phase two trail bonding for Two Hoots Trail; Finlandia Foundation National, $5,000, Finnish American Heritage Trail project; Keweenaw County Road Commission, $4,000, roadside park tables.

About the fund: The Destination Development fund is supported through a portion of revenue collected from overnight stays at lodging properties that partner with Visit Keweenaw. When visitors choose to stay in the Keweenaw, they’re directly contributing to projects that enhance the region’s quality of life. It’s a simple, sustainable way tourism supports local improvements – year after year.

What's next: Local nonprofits and units of government in Houghton and Keweenaw County are eligible to apply for awards. Projects are selected based on their long-term benefit, alignment with local values and other criteria. See more information about the program and review previous years’ projects at https://www.visitkeweenaw.com/about-us/destination-development/.
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