Applications now are being accepted for the sixth annual Great Place Project, a community program of the Cook County Chamber of Commerce Foundation. 

The Great Place Project began in 2014 as  a partnership between the Cook County Chamber  and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic's Moving Matters program. It continues as a program of the chamber foundation.

Deadline for submission of 2019 GPP grant applications is April 1. 

GPP provides small grants to individuals, businesses and organizations to develop small outdoor projects that enhance the beauty and attraction of the outdoor built environment of Cook County. The intention is to encourage healthy outdoor play and exercise, and to create a more pleasing environment for residents and visitors to enjoy. It demonstrates to all that this is a well loved and carefully tended place.

Over the years, projects funded by the Great Place Project have included public benches and picnic tables here and there around the county, a still-growing community-paint-by-number set of murals for the side of Birchbark Books & Gifts, an outdoor ping pong table for the Grand Marais library lawn, a bench for the Hegg Wildflower Sanctuary on the Gunflint Trail,  numerous little free libraries and many more. 

For 2019, the Chamber Foundation has $10,000 from its annual canoe raffle and a $450 gift from county resident Gerry Grant – a generous gift of funds earned by her work at the First & Second Thrift Store. The $10,500 will be used to make grants ranging from $250 to $1,000, Boyd said.

More information on grant requirements is on the 2019 application, which is  attached to this email. The application also is available for download on the chamber website, cookcountychamber.org or by emailing [email protected] or calling 218-387-2079. Copies can be mailed out in hard copy or provided via email.