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Dickinson pays off 2017 fairgrounds building loan

IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County has paid off a loan it approved in 2017 for a multipurpose building added to the fairgrounds in Norway.

At a meeting Monday, the county board noted a payment of $178,790 to Upper Peninsula State Bank, as authorized at an April 4 parks meeting.

In 2014, the former Al’s Appliance building from the 500 block of Main Street in Norway was donated to the Dickinson County Fair by the Ebeling family of Norway. As fair officials sought to make use of the disassembled metal structure, the county board allowed borrowing of up to $250,000 to complete the project.

While the fair board has kept up payments on the 15-year loan, it had the county’s backing should it ever fall delinquent.

At the April 4 meeting, the county board decided to use its $112,908 share of Michigan’s 10% adult-use marijuana excise tax to help pay off the loan. The remaining balance of $65,882 is being paid with federal American Rescue Plan funds.

Among other uses, the building has been rented for vaccination clinics conducted by the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department.

The county board has also committed $108,875 in ARP funds to replace the grandstand roof at the fairgrounds. Lake State Roofing is supplying a membrane roof to replace a metal one that leaks, Commissioner John Degenaer Jr. said Monday. The spending was approved at a March 9 meeting.

In other action Monday, the board:

— Indicated there will be no increase in its commitment of $288,000 in ARP funds to the county road commission to help repair Cheese Factory Road in Breen Township, even though the work may cost up to $400,000.

— Approved buying a 2017 Ford F150 pickup truck for $16,400. The truck was being leased through a Michigan off-road vehicle enforcement grant that provides $300 monthly, but the dealer is unable to continue the lease. The county plans to lease a new vehicle in the next budget cycle and then repurpose the 2017 truck.

— Entered into an agreement with HealthBridge for employees at no cost to the county for the first two years, at which time it will be reviewed. Health Bridge Financial Inc., headquartered in Grand Rapids, complements an employer’s health plan by helping participants manage and pay for out-of-pocket medical costs. Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson recently joined the HealthBridge Provider Network.

— Learned from Commissioner Barbara Kramer that Lake Antoine Park Partners will host special events at the county park this summer, including eight movie nights.

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