The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy has closed on the $19.5 million purchase of 35 acres of land in Elberta thanks to secured gifts, pledges, and an anonymous supporter who provided an interest-free loan to cover the multi-year pledges.

GTRLC said in a release that the project represented a "Herculean effort," as it was the largest funding amount required for a single property in the Conservancy's 33-year history. The nonprofit raised nearly $20 million in just under six months. The property, owned by Elberta Land Holding Company, was recently targeted for a large resort development. It extends from Elberta Beach to the Historic Waterfront Park and from the park to the village’s northern edge. It features 578 feet of Lake Michigan frontage, 3,120 feet on Betsie Bay, and 10 acres of steep, forested dunes. 

More than 600 families donated to the project - representing gifts ranging from $7 to $9 million - with more than 200 gifts coming from people who'd never donated to the Conservancy before. "People who love Benzie County really love Benzie County, and they want to retain the small-town character of the shoreline communities like Elberta and Frankfort," GTRLC Executive Director Glen Chown said in a statement. "People dug deeply to ensure a future for Elberta that aligns with the community's vision. Their generosity is incredibly heartwarming, and we have much to be grateful for during this holiday season."

The Conservancy plans to eventually transfer 16 acres near the Elberta Pier at the mouth of Betsie Bay, including 578 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline, to the Village of Elberta for use as a public park. The acquisition will allow the Betsie Valley Trail to extend through the property, connecting Frankfort and Elberta’s Lake Michigan beaches and linking to 22 miles of trails in Benzie County. The Conservancy will "retain 10 acres of the highest conservation importance, which contain critical dune habitat, and manage that land as a nature sanctuary," according to the release.

Nine acres east of the Waterfront Park, which has access to municipal water and sewer, has been set aside for "community-aligned redevelopment, boosting Elberta’s economic development goals," the release states. "The Michigan Land Bank Authority will lead those efforts." Fundraising efforts from both public and private sources to complete that vision have already begun, with GTRLC needing to raise approximately $8 million more.