The Michigan City Sustainability Commission reported Oct. 9 that the commission has received a $3,000 community activation grant from the mayor's charitable gala to support locally focused initiatives to reduce single-use items in restaurants and public outreach.

Commissioner Julie Smith said the project team will revise the grant application and circulate it to team members for review. The proposed project would inform restaurants and the public about reducing use of plastic straws, single-use silverware and similar items. Commissioner Nancy Boltenauer said she may be able to provide access to a professional graphic designer to support project materials.

Separately, the commission promoted an upcoming Recycle Smart "Do Your Part" workshop scheduled for Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall EOC Room; the workshop is presented by Sasha G. Burns and sponsored by the city refuse department, the Michigan City Sustainability Commission and La Porte County Solid Waste District. Commissioners said the workshop is hands-on and useful for residents and restaurant staff.

Commissioners also noted they will change the project name in the minutes to match the outreach tagline and remove members no longer participating from the project team roster.