Waterways Program (Harbor) Grants - Development Grant Program

Purpose: Provide matching grants to plan and build infrastructure that expands or improves public recreational boating facilities at grant-in-aid harbors (primarily serving transient boaters) and public boating access sites across Michigan. Eligibility: Local units of government and state colleges/universities may apply. Large projects must have a completed preliminary engineering study and all necessary permits before consideration. Harbor projects require an approved 5-year Harbor/Marina Facilities Recreation Plan on file by Feb. 1, plus submission of the last three years of harbor traffic logs and harbor financial summaries. Project eligibility: Contracted final engineering and construction for facilities such as docks, ramps, utilities and other marina/harbor or boating access improvements; final engineering and contingency costs are eligible. Application process: Email the Waterways Grant Program Application and required attachments to the program contact by 5:00 p.m. EST on April 1. DNR staff conduct technical review; eligible proposals advance through DNR Parks and Recreation Division prioritization and Michigan State Waterways Commission review. Larger grants may require DNR Director approval and legislative appropriation before funds are available. Awards are made as reimbursement following submittal of required documentation.