U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for Michigan Brandon Fewins was on hand Wednesday for the Marquette Greenway groundbreaking in New Buffalo.
The Marquette Greenway is a 60 mile trail planned between New Buffalo and Chicago. Wednesday’s event marked the start of the Michigan phase of the project.
Fewins said Wednesday, “The scope of this project, its many partners and the coordination between them are an example of the great things we can accomplish together.” He noted the USDA provided a $99,000 Rural Business Development Grant to Berrien County to cover the costs of surveying and engineering the trail.
When finished, the route will pass through five counties and fifteen municipalities as well as a national park.
Work from the trailhead in New Buffalo will extend to Grand Beach this year, while planners aim to complete the Grand Beach to Indiana section next year.
