LANSING - Rural areas of the state are getting some financial help from the state for demolitions.

The Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority has 350-thousand dollars to award in grants to county land banks and local governments in counties with populations under 50-thousand people. The maximum grant will be 50-thousand dollars per proposal and can be used to tear down abandoned and vacant, blighted commercial or residential buildings. The deadline for local governments to apply for the funding is February 15.