About Powell Township
Powell Township, established in 1904, welcomes you to our website and community. The most common way to arrive in our township and our town of BIG BAY is to drive to the end of County Road 550 or the Big Bay Road. Powell Township is a great place to live and raise a family with the Powell Township School, which won the 2011 Excellence in Education award, serving grades pre-school through 8th grade. It is a peaceful place to retire and enjoy the beauty and wonders of nature. With the “big” city of Marquette, MI on the other end of 550, only 30 minutes away, its a township removed but so easily connected.
Powell Township has a population of 816 with about 70% being year round residents. This estimate is based on the 2010 Census and Voter Registration files. The Township has several lakes and rivers ideal for recreation and approximately 45 miles of Lake Superior shoreline. It also includes the rural town of Big Bay, that has stores and restaurants like CRAM’S GENERAL STORE & HUNGRY HOLLOW CAFE, THUNDER BAY INN & RESTAURANT, LUMBERJACK TAVERN, BIG BAY POINTE LIGHTHOUSE BED AND BREAKFAST, PICTURE BAY MOTEL, & BIG BAY MOTEL. For camping purposes there is also Perkins Park operated by Marquette County. We have Dock of the Bay, also operated by Marquette County, for access to Lake Superior by boat. Powell Township maintains four parks, DRAVER PARK & BALLFIELD, THOMAS ROCK, BURNS LANDING, and the Halfway Firehall kids park. Powell Township Parks and Recreation also maintains different trails with the Noquemanon Trail Network.
Residents can find information about the township board, copies of board minutes, applications for voting, zoning permits and general questions (when our transfer station is open, when are taxes due, etc.) and more on this website. For assessing and tax information please use the following link. Residents and owners can view their own assessing information for free but there is a fee for others to view.
Powell Township Office Hours:
General Office: Monday & Thursday, 0900 – 1200
Treasurer: Monday & Thursday, 0900 – 1200, or by appointment (email treasurer@powelltownship.org)
Assessor: Thursday, 0900-1200
Zoning Administrator: by appointment only (email zoningadmin@powelltownship.org)
POWELL TOWNSHIP TRAILS UPDATES:
A complete and interactive map with the most current trail conditions is available at Noquemanon Trail Network. Powell Township’s trails are part of this network.
NOTICE – Powell Township Budget Workshops and Budget Public Hearing – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Powell Township Hall, 101 Bensinger St., Big Bay, Michigan, 49808
Dates:
- First Budget Workshop: Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 6:00 P.M.
- Second Budget Workshop: Monday, March 3, 2025, 6:00 P.M.
- Budget Public Hearing: Thursday, March 13, 2025, 6:00 P.M.
OVERALL AGENDA:
- Conduct Budget Workshops
- Conduct Budget Public Hearing
- Approve Budget
NOTICE – MARCH BOARD OF REVIEW (MBOR) MEETINGS AT POWELL TOWNSHIP HALL:
All meetings are at Powell Township Hall, 101 Bensinger Street, Big Bay, Michigan, 49808. For questions or concerns, contact: Dylan Jurasin / MCAO, Powell Township Assessor, 906-361-6787.
- Organizational Meeting: Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 3:00 P.M.
- First MBOR Meeting: Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 3:00 – 9:00 P.M.
- Second MBOR Meeting: Friday, March 14, 2025, 9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
To see upcoming meeting notices listed, special meetings, cancellations, reschedules, or virtual instructions, click here. For a calendar view, click here.
NOTICE – PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE MARQUETTE COUNTY ORV ORDINANCE
For full details on the March 18, 2025, Marquette County Public Hearing in Marquette, Michigan, click here. An “ORV” is an Off-Road Vehicle.
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