A grant of $25,000 will go toward bank restoration, public access improvements and environmental awareness projects for the Clinton River in Rochester Hills.
The grant, which was awarded to the city and its grant applicant partner, the Clinton River Watershed Council, was the result of a national online vote hosted by MillerCoors and the River Network. The Clinton River project won by five votes.
The company and non-profit interested in promoting clean water gave away a total of $80,000 to water improvement projects.
The grant will pay to restore damage to the watershed and support more but responsible recreation of the waterway. it will also educate the public about how to protect the watershed, which connects to smaller and larger waterways around the state and beyond.
“We are excited to partner with the city on such a great project, and we appreciate all the hard work and help from our stakeholders in getting the word out to vote,” Michele Arquette-Palermo, the Clinton River Watershed Council's education and stewardship director, says in a statement announcing the grant.
Kim Marotta, director of corporate social responsibility for MillerCoors, says the MillerCoors/River Network grant competition has had more than 50,000 votes from around the world cast since the contest launch four years ago.
"MillerCoors depends on water to brew beer, and by partnering with organizations like River Network we believe we can help improve local watersheds,” Marotta says.
"We are excited to further engage communities on water issues that affect everyone, everywhere," she says.
Todd Ambs, president of the River Network, says: “Healthy rivers are vital to the health and future of our communities. Through this partnership, MillerCoors is supporting the protection and restoration of waterways across the country that will produce long-term benefits for people, fish and wildlife, and future generations. ”
Source: Michele Arquette-Palermo, education and stewardship director, Clinton River Watershed Council
Writer: Kim North Shine
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