The Mecosta County Board of Commissioners is preparing for an important work session on May 14th, where they will decide on the allocation of the significant funds received from the state's 2023 adult-use recreational cannabis excise tax. The county has been allocated $886,295, which amounts to approximately $59,000 for each of the 15 licensed retail establishments in their jurisdiction under the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act.
The primary focus of the session will be to strategize the distribution of these funds to community projects. The commissioners aim to establish a framework and timeline for community organizations to apply for this special funding. Until the board's session, no funding requests will be accepted.
Paul Bullock, the County Administrator, noted that an application form for these funds will be made available on the county's official website towards the end of May. "Agencies interested in applying can download, complete, and submit their application for the board's consideration," Bullock explained. He added that the board plans to review all submissions by late June and will inform applicants of the subsequent steps in July.
Bullock anticipates that the approved funds could be accessible between mid and late August, following a thorough review and approval process by the board.
In addition to the county's allocation, the city of Big Rapids also received an identical amount of $886,295 in cannabis excise tax funding from the state. The city has designated these funds for capital improvement projects within the general fund.
In 2023, both the city and the county were each awarded $881,300, based on the presence of 17 active retail licenses. The previous year saw both entities receiving $677,441. These funds have previously supported various community initiatives, such as the Dragon Trail project, the acquisition of safety equipment for first responders, funding for a free medical clinic, programs addressing child hunger, and road maintenance.
For those interested in applying for funding or seeking more details, please visit mecostacounty.org.
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