Piles of old tires could disappear more quickly with the help of a scrap tire grant, offered by Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Property owners, nonprofits, and government units can ask the state for grant money to clean up old or abandoned scrap tire piles, with priority given to old collection sites and those that pose an imminent threat to public safety or the environment.

The state will also consider proposals that demonstrate new or increased uses of scrap tires in manufactured products or paving projects.

Interested parties can apply by Oct. 28 at tinyurl.com/4bbcetkw or by contacting EGLE at EGLE-ScrapTire@Michigan.gov.

Last year, Alpena-area applicants netted more than $16,000 in scrap tire grants.