GRAND MARAIS -- The Grand Marais harbor has served as the doorway to the community for centuries.

But now there is an unwelcome visitor...sand.  Each year, about 100,000 cubic yards of sand pour into the harbor, making it dangerous for boaters and swimmers.  And if a new breakwater isn't put in place soon, the effects could be devastating.

"With the tourism that this town relies on for the economy, we definitely need this harbor to be operational in order for the community to survive," explains Burt Township Supervisor Jack Hubbard.

The Army Corps of Engineers had planned to build a new breakwater with stimulus funds, but the agency says it's run out of funding, leaving the community of Grand Marais to fend for themselves.  Now Burt Township is applying for private grants, including one for $40,000 from Reader's Digest.  It's a competition with projects in other communities, and so far, Grand Marais is in first place, but other communities are now catching up.

Residents are hoping they can stay on top.

"We're not asking for new streets or new buildings, a library, a skate park for the kids.  We're asking for something that will save lives, and we have been working for a long, long time to get the government to help us with the break wall," says resident Janie Dowd.

If they win, the $40,000 would cover only about 13 feet of the needed 1200 feet for a new breakwater.  But that's a start...and there'll be another extremely important reward.

"If we win, they will do an article in their May edition of Reader's Digest about our community and about this project.  So this will give us some national attention on there and hopefully bring some other foundations into this," Hubbard says.

If you'd like to vote, click here.  The contest ends on February 7.  You'll need to enter Grand Marais's zip code, which is 49839, to enter.