FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, April 22, 2016
Contact: Erica Shekell, Byrum & Fisk Communications, (517) 333-1606

Calhoun County Land Bank launches Neighborhood Mow & Maintenance program – 2016 effort builds on past success, helps local groups raise money

MARSHALL — The Calhoun County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA) kicked off the 2016 Neighborhood Mow & Maintenance Program last week. Members of participating organizations were briefed on the program, listened to a safety presentation and received assignments for the properties they would be maintaining.

“Our Neighborhood Mow & Maintenance Program helps local groups earn money, saves taxpayer dollars on maintaining properties and improves the quality of our neighborhoods, so it’s a win-win for everyone,” said Land Bank Board Chair and County Treasurer, Christine Schauer. “Community organizations are eager to participate in the program, and it’s been highly successful in improving our neighborhoods by making them more attractive.”

Members of local community groups attend program meeting (Photo: CCLBA)

The Neighborhood Mow and Maintenance program provides community groups the opportunity to earn funds for neighborhood projects, youth group activities, nonprofit events and other community efforts by mowing and maintaining vacant properties owned by the CCLBA. By agreeing to mow and maintain 20 vacant properties from April to October, participating groups will earn a seasonal stipend of $3,000.

This year, the CCLBA is partnering with the City of Battle Creek and Waste Management to provide free garbage pickup for the first two weeks of May for Mow & Maintenance properties. The CCLBA has provided bright orange trash bags for participating organizations to use when clearing trash and debris from the properties before the mowing season begins.

Participants of the 2015 program mowed 200 lots in Calhoun County and saved the CCLBA more than $22,000 in mowing costs. The program was such as success that all groups from last year have returned this year, and one new group is participating in the program.

Participating organizations include:

• Golden Star Temple #951
• Battle Creek Griffon Rugby Football Club
• Second Missionary Baptist Church
• Southwest Michigan Community Impact Association
• Project Hope Ministries
• ChapTer 21

Together, the organizations will maintain 260 lots.

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