Destination Development Fund

What is Destination Development?

Destination development is the process of investing in a community’s infrastructure to make it better at attracting visitors and improving their experience while they’re there. These projects can vary but often focus on placemaking – using what makes a community unique and building on its strengths to create memorable experiences. The goal is to benefit both visitors and the local community by enhancing the destination in meaningful ways.

For Visit Keweenaw, that often looks like new signage, trail features or interpretive additions that help folks have a richer interaction with the area’s best assets: the great outdoors, compelling history and culture. Destination development is building upon existing (or creating new) attractions like trails or scenic overlooks to enhance them or creating new experiences altogether. Visit Keweenaw uses a matching grant program to help fund these types of projects in Houghton and Keweenaw County each year, called its Destination Development Fund.

Visit Keweenaw helps make these ideas a reality through its Destination Development Fund, a matching program that supports innovative projects in Houghton and Keweenaw County each year. The Destination Development Fund pays for projects by using a portion of Visit Keweenaw’s annual budget which is supported by membership dues from Visit Keweenaw partner lodging properties.

Why Invest in Destination Development?

The Keweenaw's rich history, natural environment and local communities make it a special place for visitors and residents. Examples include adding signage to guide people to hidden gems, improving trail systems or creating new features that tell the story of the Keweenaw’s rich past. By investing in destination development, Visit Keweenaw encourages local projects that enhance the visitor experience and encourages them to return in the future. 

We also know that the best places to live are often great communities to visit. A new trailhead, sharing local history, or signage that helps people find a nearby waterfall benefits both the visitor and local residents. These investments help connect the visitor economy with local community development generating positive benefits across the Keweenaw.

Destination Development Awards

How to Apply

Visit Keweenaw annually solicits applications from community organizations to support destination development initiatives. To apply for project funding, please complete an application using the link below. While not required, projects are encouraged to be completed by September 30th of the year funds are awarded.  

Program Application: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DF2QGCM

Eligibility: Local units of government and nonprofit organizations operating in Houghton & Keweenaw Counties are eligible to apply.  While businesses are ineligible applicants, they can be part of an applicant team contributing ideas, expertise and additional resources to the effort.

Cost Share: All projects are required to include at minimum 50% cost-share. This can be in the form of cash or in-kind match from other sources. For example, a $10,000 project can receive up to $5,000 from this fund, with the rest coming form other sources..

Cost Reimbursement: The award comes in the form of cost reimbursement. Once the project is complete and project costs documented, the applicant is reimbursed up to the total award amount.  

Deadline to Apply: Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2025.

How Are Projects Selected?

Applications are reviewed by the Visit Keweenaw staff and a subcommittee of Visit Keweenaw's board of directors. Applicants are reviewed based on the following criteria:

• Visitor Experience: The extent to which the project will positively enhance visitors' experiences while in the Keweenaw
• Demonstrated Need: The extent to which the project fulfills a need currently not already being met in the area
• Community: The extent to which the project offers benefits to the broader community
• Sustainability: The extent to which the project supports a sustainable tourism industry
• Cost Share Ratio: The proportion of cost share contributed by the applicant in relation to the award amount requested
• Capacity for Completion: The likelihood of the applicant's capacity to successfully complete the project by September 30th, 2025
• Longevity: The applicant's capacity to maintain the project after the destination development award has been expended (e.g. project upkeep/maintenance)

Previous Awards

2024 Project Awards

• Copper Country Trail National Byway - $27,000 - Wayfinding signage & confidence markers
• Swedetown Recreation Area - $20,000 - Beginner level biking/hiking trail
• Hancock Trails Club - $17,000 - Swedetown Creek Bridge connector at Maasto-Hiitho / Churning Rapids Trail System
• Copper Harbor Trails Club - $11,500 - Berry Picker climbing trail at Brockway Mountain
• Main Street Calumet - $8,000 - Downtown seating and planters
• City of Houghton - $7,500 - Installation of Historic Houghton downtown signage
• Calumet Air Force Station Heritage Museum - $6,000 - Safety railing atop viewing tower
• Calumet Township - $5,000 - New 18-hole disc golf course
• Painesdale Mine & Shaft, Inc - $4,900 - Interpretive signage and visitor kiosk
• Chassell Township - $2,750 - Wayfinding Signage on US 41 for Accessible Kayak Launch
• Keweenaw County Sheriff's Office - $1,725 - Directional and safety signage for County trails
• Keweenaw ATV Club - $695 - Trail directional signage
• Keweenaw Land Trust - $2,500 Copper Shores Community Foundation Giving Tuesday Club Sponsorship
• Swedetown Trails Club - $2,500 Copper Shores Community Foundation Giving Tuesday Club Sponsorship
• Hancock Trails Club - $2,500 Copper Shores Community Foundation Giving Tuesday Club Sponsorship
• Keweenaw Snowmobile Club - $2,500 Copper Shores Community Foundation Giving Tuesday Club Sponsorship
• Keweenaw ATV Club - $2,500 Copper Shores Community Foundation Giving Tuesday Club Sponsorship
• Copper Harbor Trails Club - $2,500 Copper Shores Community Foundation Giving Tuesday Club Sponsorship

2023 Project Awards

• Keweenaw Snowmobile Club - $20,000 - Snowmobile Groomer Barn Construction
• Ahmeek Village - $15,000 - Gabriel Chopp Park Renovation
• Carnegie Museum of Houghton - $8,450 - Houghton Geo Walk & Bike Tour
• Copper Harbor Trails Club - $5,000 - Orchard Trail Bike Trail and Skills Area
• City of Houghton - $4,000 - Downtown Houghton Mural Project
• Houghton County Historical Society - $3,500 - Outdoor Interpretive Signs at Houghton County Historical Museum
• Keweenaw Search & Rescue - $5,200 - Rescue Vehicle GPS Units
• Painesdale Mine & Shaft - $3,600 - Historical Interpretive Signage
• Copper Harbor Trails Club - $2,500 Copper Shores Community Foundation Giving Tuesday Club Sponsorship
• Keweenaw Land Trust - $2,500 Copper Shores Community Foundation Giving Tuesday Club Sponsorship
• Swedetown Trails Club - $2,500 Copper Shores Community Foundation Giving Tuesday Club Sponsorship
• Hancock Trails Club - $2,500 Copper Shores Community Foundation Giving Tuesday Club Sponsorship
• Keweenaw Snowmobile Club - $2,500 Copper Shores Community Foundation Giving Tuesday Club Sponsorship
• Keweenaw ATV Club - $2,500 Copper Shores Community Foundation Giving Tuesday Club Sponsorship
• Main Street Calumet - $600 - Welcome to Historic Calumet Trestle Sign

​2022 Project Awards

• Keweenaw Snowmobile Club - $10,000 – Snowmobile Groomer Barn Construction and Energy Efficiency Upgrades
• Copper Harbor Trails Club - $5,000 - PHF Giving Tuesday - Club Sponsorship
• Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw - $3,800 – Virtual Historic Downtown Houghton Walking Tour Signage
• Chassell Township - $2,800 – Wayfinding and Historic Interpretive Signage for Chassell Kayak Launch 
• Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club - $2,500 - PHF Giving Tuesday - Club Sponsorship
• Swedetown Recreation Area - $2,500 - PHF Giving Tuesday - Club Sponsorship
• Calumet Township - $2,300 – Fat-Tire Bike Grooming Equipment