U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Lansing) today announced that she had secured more than $24.5 million in federal funding for 15 key community projects across mid-Michigan. The initiatives include 4 in Livingston County, 7 in Ingham County, and 4 in Oakland County, and range from expanding EMS services in Ingham and Livingston Counties, as well as providing new training equipment for the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, among others.
“After receiving 90 proposals and vetting them carefully, our office has been advocating for these 15 projects for the better part of a year, working closely with local leaders across the District to make the case for federal funding that would benefit communities across mid-Michigan,” Slotkin said. “With almost $25 million in federal funding secured, these projects will help cities like Lansing and Howell expand their fire department and ambulance services, provide new training equipment for our local law enforcement, rebuild critical infrastructure in Oakland County, and improve trails and parks that Michiganders across the state use every day.
“I’m proud to have brought this funding into our area and look forward to coordinating with the officials overseeing these projects to make sure that the funds are delivered as quickly as possible.”
Members of Congress are required to certify that neither they nor their immediate family benefit financially from the projects they submit for consideration. Transparency and allowing governments big and small to apply was of great importance to Slotkin, which is why she had a full-time staff member dedicated to helping applicants navigate the process.
The following four projects in Livingston County received federal funding:
Project Sponsor: City of Howell
Recipient
Address: 611 E. Grand River Avenue, Howell, MI 48843
Funding Secured: $750,000
Request Purpose: Depot Lot Reconstruction
Recipient explanation of request and justification for why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds: The City of Howell has submitted a proposal for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Howell Depot Lot, to provide a safe and usable space including the addition of 40 spaces for visitors, for access to downtown businesses and community recreation activities, including a winter ice rink. The proposal for the depot lot reconstruction has broad community support, including letters of support from the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce and local businesses.
Project Sponsor: Green Oak Charter Township Fire Department
Recipient Address: 10001 Silver Lake Road, Brighton, MI 48116
Amount Secured: $750,000
Request Purpose: Aerial Ladder Truck
Recipient explanation of request and justification for why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds: The Green Oak Charter Township Fire Department submitted a proposal to replace a 27-year-old aerial ladder truck. The Township notes that the truck ”is in need of replacement due to increased maintenance costs and decreasing reliability.”
The proposal for a new ladder truck has broad community support, including letters of support from neighboring township’s fire authorities.
Project Sponsor: Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority
Recipient Address: 5303 S. Cedar Street, Lansing, MI 48911
Funding Secured: $900,000
Request Purpose: Livingston County Regional Trail Connections
Recipient explanation of request and justification for why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds: The Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority proposed an engineering design project for trail connections to improve the trail network throughout Livingston County and better connect secondary trails, recreation areas, and population centers into the primary Great Lake-to-Lake Trail. The would provide connections to four regional parks: Brighton State Recreation Area, Huron Meadows Metropark.
The proposal for the trail connections has broad community support, including letters from the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments.
Project Sponsor: Livingston County Emergency Management Services
Recipient Address: 1911 Tooley Road, Howell, MI 48855
Funding Secured: $1,169,950
Request Purpose: Power Loading Ambulance Equipment
Recipient explanation of request and justification for why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds: Livingston County Emergency Management Services’ has submitted a proposal for power loading ambulance equipment. Livingston County EMS notes that that one in four EMS workers suffers a career-ending back injury within the first four years of their employment, and that lifting a loaded cot into an ambulance can pose injury risks to patients. This project would preserve the well being of the County’s EMS employees and increase patient safety.
The proposal has broad community support, including letters of support from multiple medical facilities, healthcare providers, fire and police agencies, and nursing facilities.
