GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—Hundreds of children will get the chance to experience the fun of fishing, thanks to mini-grants from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

MDNR’s fisheries division raised $3,482 through a silent auction for Mentor Michigan.  The funding will go to five organizations statewide to allow children and their mentors enjoy a fishing outing. 

“Every youth should have the opportunity to experience fishing,” said Mentor Michigan Director Amber Troupe. “Unfortunately, there are many obstacles to this fun activity, such as a lack of equipment, transportation or knowledge of the sport.  We are thankful to [the MDNR's] Fisheries Division for providing this generous donation so mentoring programs around the state will be able to introduce fishing and fishing skills to their matches.”

BELDING, Mich.-- Enjoy music and free popcorn when Kari Ann & Lost Creek take the stage this week for Belding's Music in the Park summer concert series.

Each seasonal performance takes place on Thursdays, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Riverside Park.  The rest of this year's lineup is as follows:

BELDING, Mich.—What does downtown Belding need?

That’s the question the city’s Downtown Development Authority is asking community members in a survey now available online. The survey focuses on demographics, housing, business, service and amenities. The results will guide the DDA as it develops its plan for downtown.  That plan is due by the end of the summer.  For a link to the online survey, click here.

For more information about the downtown development plan, contact City Clerk Kareen Thomas at kthomas@ci.belding.mi.us  or (616) 794-1900.