The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded Mel Trotter Ministries $800,000 on September 30, 2025, under the Community Services Block Grant Discretionary Awards program (CFDA 93.570), specifically the Community Economic Development (CED) funding opportunity.
Mel Trotter Ministries will use the award to expand CHOP Tree Service, LLC, a vegetation management company in Grand Rapids, Michigan specializing in utility line clearing, tree trimming, tree removal, and tree health. The CED funds will purchase four aerial basket trucks to increase operational capacity for maintaining vegetation on low and high voltage power lines. The equipment expansion will support the creation of 30 new full-time permanent jobs, 23 of which will be filled by individuals with low incomes, providing hands-on experience in utility line clearance, rapid response and emergency preparedness, and safety. Hired employees will receive career advancement opportunities through training and education funded by CHOP, including arborist training, pesticide licensing, commercial driver's license attainment, and safety training. Compensation and benefits include paid time off, predictable scheduling, healthcare insurance, and retirement benefits. Mel Trotter Ministries will provide wraparound supportive services including career counseling, financial literacy training, transportation services, health care access, housing services, and nutritional support. Mel Trotter Ministries will partner with Next Step of West Michigan to recruit individuals with low incomes for the newly created positions. The project will leverage an additional $5,000 in applicant-supplied funds. Performance period runs through September 29, 2028, with place of performance in Michigan.