IRON MOUNTAIN — The city of Iron Mountain has received a grant from American Transmission Company’s Community Planting Program to plant trees along the boulevard space. The trees will be a mix of six varieties.

“We’re excited to receive a grant again his year. We were awarded an ATC grant three years ago and planted trees on West A Street along the bike route to City Park,” said Kathy Anderson, tree board member. “With this grant from the ATC, we are hoping to plant trees along the exit route from North Elementary School. We will increase the diversity of our tree population, as well as provide additional shade and natural beauty.”

To be able to plant 20 trees, the tree board is combining the ATC funds from a grant it received earlier this year from the Arbor Day Foundation of Michigan.

Forms will be available soon from the city office to select tree species. In May, the boulevard site will be marked in cooperation with the land owner. Planting will be completed by the Department of Public Works in May or June.

Iron Mountain was among 17 entities to receive grants ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 for planting projects on public property.

The Community Planting Program provides financial support to eligible cities, villages, towns, counties and tribes in ATC’s service area for planting projects. Program funds can be sued to plant trees and other tall-growing vegetation on public property outside of transmission line rights-of-way. Now in its 10th year, ATC has given over 300 community awards for these project totaling more than $625,000.

“We recognize that trees and vegetation are among the features that make communities special places for resident and visitors,” said ATC Maintenance Program Manager Adam Helminiak. “While we can’t allow trees or tall-growing vegetation in our rights-of-way, ATC’s Community Planting Program enables us to encourage and support communities to plants tree and vegetation that will beautify communities in a way that doesn’t compromise the safety and reliability of the electric transmission system.”

To qualify for a program, communities must commit that all current and future planting plans and urban forestry activities near high-voltage electric transmission lines will comply with ATC’s maintenance standards. Cities, villages, towns, counties and tribes within ATC’s service area are eligible to apply for funding through the Community Planting Program. The Pollinator Habitat Program also is open to cities, villages, towns, counties and tribes within ATC’s service area, well as to entitles that allow public access to ATC’s rights-or-way, such as nature preserves, non-profits or public land managers.

ATC accepts applications from July 1 through Sept. 30, and award recipients are selected and notified by the end of the year. Additional information and program applications can be found at atc.GrowSmart.com.