Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is expanding education and economic development opportunities in the Alpena area after the Besser Foundation Board of Directors recently approved two grant proposals submitted by TBNMS totaling $200,000.

“The Besser Foundation does not usually receive two grant proposals from the same organization within the same funding cycle, especially for such significant dollar amounts,” Gary Dawley, Besser Foundation board secretary, said.”The reason the Besser Foundation board approved these two significant and exciting grants is pretty simple, both projects will improve educational opportunities and increase tourism for Alpena, two of the foundation’s top funding priorities.”

The Besser Foundation and its trustees have more than 70 years of experience providing financial support for Alpena development efforts with an ongoing focus on children, education, social needs, and continuous economic improvement within the community.

Sanctuary Superintendent Jeff Gray was the host of the event and recognized how important community partnerships have been to expanding the sanctuary’s reach.

“The Besser Foundation has been invested in the sanctuary from the start. The Friends of TBNMS is taking on two significant efforts that will have a direct and immediate impact on our community,” Gray said.

The Besser Foundation is awarding a $100,000 grant to the Friends of TBNMS for educational technology enhancements and a science, technology, education and math educator for the Lady Michigan. Additionally, a portion of the grant will serve as matching dollars for another grant the Friends recently received from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation to promote sustainable recreation and tourism in Northeast Michigan.

While the Lady Michigan has been operated by Alpena Shipwreck Tours the past six years, now the Friends of TBNMS will run it as a nonprofit education vessel.

“This is the best the Lady Michigan has looked since first arriving in Alpena six years ago,” said Chuck Wiesen, president of the Friends of TBNMS and a frequent guide on the boat. The Besser Foundation funding is a tremendous show of community support, enabling us take Alpena Shipwreck Tours’ educational and tourist experience to a whole new level.”

The second $100,000 grant from the Besser Foundation will help purchase and install a water filtration system for the 500,000-gallon dive tank located on the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center campus. ` Comet Cache is Fully Functional ) –>