Slotkin to Advocate for Federal Funding of Local Community and Infrastructure Projects

Washington -- Today U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) announced 20 projects in Michigan's 8th District that she will be advocating to receive direct federal funding from Congress through the annual spending bill Congress passes every year.

"Each of these 20 projects would significantly benefit communities across the 8th District - whether it's helping our first responders improve public safety, upgrading water treatment facilities, or enhancing the quality of life in our communities," said Slotkin. The chosen projects had to show community support, and in the coming months, my team and I will be working hard to get funding through both the House and Senate."

The Community Project Funding Program allows Members to submit 10 projects that would benefit their communities. Slotkin's office received 58 proposals and ultimately selected the following 10, listed alphabetically by applicant:

• Addison Township Public Library - New Library Building
• Brighton Area Fire Authority - New Fire Authority Headquarters
• City of Mason - Mason Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion
• City of Rochester - Memorial Grove All Abilities Playground
• City of Williamston - Water/sewer infrastructure improvements
• Lansing Community College - Mobile Healthcare Learning Initiative Project
• Lansing Police Department - Lansing Crisis Assessment Team
• North Oakland County Fire Authority - Replace ambulances and invest in renovations and education equipment
• Village of Fowlerville - Water Treatment/Radium Removal Plant
• Village of Pinckney - Multi-Modal Pathway and Connectors project

In order to be selected, the project had to be from a state or local government or a public institution of higher education and located in Michigan's 8th district. The proposal also had to demonstrate the project has robust community support, would have a significant impact on the community, and would be a good use of taxpayer dollars.

In addition to these 10 community projects, Members of Congress may submit infrastructure projects in their congressional district to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for funding consideration. Selected projects will be included in the 2021 Surface Transportation Authorization bill.

After soliciting infrastructure proposals from across the district, Slotkin submitted 10 infrastructure projects to be considered by the committee that will help build safer roads, pedestrian walkways, and repair critical infrastructure.

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. That's why Slotkin had a full-time staff member dedicated to helping applicants navigate the process.

CONGRESSWOMAN SLOTKIN'S COMMUNITY PROJECT SUBMISSIONS

Note: The projects are listed in alphabetical order, by project sponsor.

Project Sponsor: Addison Township Public Library
Recipient Address: 1400 Rochester Rd, Leonard, MI 48367
Requested Amount: $500,000.00
Request Purpose: New Library Building
Recipient explanation of request and justification for why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds:

Addison Township submitted a request to fund the construction of their first public library building. According to Addison Township, their current leased space is in poor condition and cannot support the needs of families in the communities -- and funding will help "develop and increase the health, literacy and vibrancy of this rural community now and in the future."

The proposal for a new library building has broad community support, including letters of support from patrons and state and local government officials.


Project Sponsor: Brighton Area Fire Authority
Recipient Address: 615 W. Grand River Ave., Brighton, MI 48116
Requested Amount: $10,500,000.00
Request Purpose: New Fire Authority Headquarters
Recipient explanation of request and justification for why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds:

The Brighton Area Fire Authority submitted a request to fund the construction of a New Fire Authority Headquarters. The Authority notes that, due to its age and the repairs needed, the existing facility "no longer meets the needs of the Brighton community."

The proposal for a new fire authority headquarters building has broad community support, including letters of support from state and local officials and business leaders and a unanimous Brighton Township resolution of support for their project application.

Project Sponsor: City of Mason
Recipient Address: 201 W. Ash St., Mason, MI 48854
Requested Amount: $8,800,000.00
Request Purpose: Mason Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion
Recipient explanation of request and justification for why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds:

The City of Mason has submitted a proposal to improve and expand the Mason Wastewater Treatment Plant. This plant directly impacts more than 8,000 residents and numerous businesses within and around the city of Mason who depend on its services. The Mason community indicates that "urgent improvements to the plant will ‘improve the treatment process, provide long-term improvement while creating immediate jobs during construction."

The proposal has broad community support, including a resolution by the municipality, letters of support from local schools, businesses, chambers of commerce, and the county.


Project Sponsor: City of Rochester
Recipient Address: 400 Sixth Street, Rochester, MI 48307
Requested Amount: $797,000.00
Request Purpose: Memorial Grove All Abilities Playground
Recipient explanation of request and justification for why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds:

The City of Rochester submitted a proposal to build an all abilities playground to address "the lack of accessible recreation opportunities for children with disabilities." The city notes that "inclusive, accessible recreation opportunities are an important priority" for the community.

The proposal has broad community support, including letters of support from the City Manager, State Senator, and Rochester City Council Member, as well as support from community partners and the autism, disability, and law enforcement communities.


Project Sponsor: City of Williamston
Recipient Address: 161 E. Grand River Ave., Williamston, MI 48895
Requested Amount: $4,794,800.00
Request Purpose: Water/sewer infrastructure improvements
Recipient explanation of request and justification for why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds:

To improve the issues of water quality, reliability and affordability, the City of Williamston submitted a request for "once-in-a-generation" improvements to their water mains that will benefit residents, businesses and schools. The areas identified for improvement are "some of the oldest in town with modest housing, families and seniors on fixed incomes who have lived in Williamston for decades."

The proposal has broad community support, including a City Council Resolution unanimously supporting the CPF application and letters of support, including from state and local government officials, business leaders, and residents.

Project Sponsor: Lansing Community College
Recipient Address: 411 N. Grant Ave., Lansing, MI 48933
Requested Amount: $400,000.00
Request Purpose: Mobile Healthcare Learning Initiative Project
Recipient explanation of request and justification for why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds:

Lansing Community College has submitted a proposal to create a Mobile Healthcare Learning Initiative Project, which would "improve access to and increase healthcare apprenticeships in the greater Lansing area and across Michigan." According to LCC the project would, "increase the number of trained and qualified healthcare workers in in-demand fields in the district and across the state."

The proposal has broad community support, including letters of support from Capital Area Michigan Works!, Capital Area Health Alliance, and the Michigan Center for Rural Health.

Project Sponsor: Lansing Police Department
Recipient Address: 120 W. Michigan Ave, Lansing, 48933
Requested Amount: $1,341,565.00
Request Purpose: Lansing Crisis Assessment Team
Recipient explanation of request and justification for why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds:

To improve crisis intervention capabilities and community policing tactics, the Lansing Police Department has submitted a proposal to create three Lansing Crisis Assessment Team units composed of a social worker, a medic, and a plain clothes community police officer in identifiable and visible vans.

According to LPD, the team "would be able to more swiftly and directly respond to our most vulnerable and those who most need assistance but do not require a law enforcement response."

The proposal has broad community support, including letters of support from local government officials, Lansing residents, and local non-profits.

Project Sponsor: North Oakland County Fire Authority
Recipient Address: 5051 Grange Hall Rd., Holly, MI 48442
Requested Amount: $487,140.00
Request Purpose: Replace ambulances and invest in renovations and education equipment
Recipient explanation of request and justification for why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds:

The North Oakland County Fire Authority has submitted a request to replace old ambulances and invest in renovations and education equipment to respond to the increasing service demand from the community. According to the authority this funding "would also assure that residents, as well as our neighboring communities, receive competent well-trained first responders that can respond in safe, reliable vehicles during the public's time of crisis."

The proposal has broad community support, including from the Holly Township supervisor and Rose Township supervisor.


Project Sponsor: Village of Fowlerville
Recipient Address: 213 S. Grand Avenue, Fowlerville, MI 48836
Requested Amount: $6,000,000.00
Request Purpose: Water Treatment/Radium Removal Plant
Recipient explanation of request and justification for why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds:

The Village of Fowlerville has submitted a proposal for a Water Treatment/Radium Removal Plant. The new water treatment/radium removal plant would address "current poor water quality, greatly reduced levels of radium and improve the community's quality of life."

The proposal has broad community support, including letters of support from the Livingston County Economic Development Council, the Fowlerville Local Development Finance Authority, and the Fowlerville Downtown Development Authority, as well as a village resolution of unanimous support.


Project Sponsor: Village of Pinckney
Recipient Address: 220 S Howell St., Pinckney, MI 48169
Requested Amount: $2,000,000.00
Request Purpose: Multi-Modal Pathway and Connectors project
Recipient explanation of request and justification for why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds:

The Village of Pinckney's proposed project would create a "safe multi-use pathway along a high-traffic county road" connecting two schools, several subdivisions, Main Street, and trails.

This project has been a "community priority for years, primarily due to the lack of a safe walkway" and "high risk to pedestrians, bicyclists, and to vehicles as well" but also because of the "health benefits of walkable communities."

The proposal has broad community support, including letters of support from school and local government officials.


CONGRESSWOMAN SLOTKIN'S TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT SUBMISSIONS

Note: The projects are listed in alphabetical order, by project sponsor.

Burcham Drive Project

Project Sponsor: City of East Lansing
Project Name: Burcham Drive
Project Location: Burcham Drive; Abbot Road to Timberlane Street, East Lansing 48823
Requested Amount: $79,280.00
Project Description: Road rehabilitation and sidewalk gap fill.


Project Sponsor: City of East Lansing
Project Name: Burcham Drive
Project Location: Burcham Drive; Abbot Road to Timberlane Street, East Lansing 48823
Requested Amount: $938,558.00
Project Description: Road rehabilitation.

Coolidge Road Project

Project Sponsor: City of East Lansing
Project Name: Coolidge Road (Road Rehabilitation and Bike Lanes)
Project Location: Coolidge Road; Lake Lansing Road to Saginaw Street, East Lansing 48823
Requested Amount: $725,622.00
Project Description: Road rehabilitation and bike lanes.

Project Sponsor: City of East Lansing
Project Name: Coolidge Road (Road Rehabilitation and Bike Lanes)
Project Location: Coolidge Road; Lake Lansing Road to Saginaw Street, East Lansing 48823
Requested Amount: $157,737.00
Project Description: Road rehabilitation and bike lanes.


Livingston Essential Transportation Services Project

Project Sponsor: Livingston Essential Transportation Service (LETS)
Project Name: West Grand River Road (areawide service)
Project Location: Howell, 48855
Requested Amount: $146,256.00
Project Description: Purchase replacement vehicles.

Project Sponsor: Livingston Essential Transportation Service (LETS)
Project Name: West Grand River Road (areawide service)
Project Location: Howell, 48855
Requested Amount: $150,570.00
Project Description: Purchase replacement vehicles.

Michigan Avenue Project

Project Sponsor: City of Lansing
Project Name: East Michigan Avenue
Project Location: Michigan Avenue; Pennsylvania Avenue to Clemens Avenue, Lansing 48933 and 48912
Requested Amount: $993,351.00
Project Description: Road rehabilitation.

Project Sponsor: City of Lansing
Project Name: East Michigan Avenue
Project Location: Michigan Avenue; Pennsylvania Avenue to Clemens Avenue, Lansing 48933 and 48912
Requested Amount: $1,595,770.00
Project Description: Road rehabilitation.

Project Sponsor: City of Lansing
Project Name: M-143W
Project Location: Michigan Avenue; Harrison Road to Grand River Avenue, Lansing 48933 and 48912
Requested Amount: $597,767.00
Project Description: Modernize and upgrade traffic signals and communications.

North Putnam Street Project

Project Sponsor: City of Williamston
Project Name: North Putnam Street
Project Location: North Putnam Street; West Riverside Street to Bismark Street, Williamston 48895
Requested Amount: $375,000.00
Project Description: Road reconstruction.


North Cedar Street Project

Project Sponsor: Ingham County Road Department
Project Name: North Cedar Street
Project Location: Cedar Street; Holbrook Drive to College Road, Mason 48854
Requested Amount: $833,001.00
Project Description: Road rehabilitation.

Project Sponsor: Ingham County Road Department
Project Name: North Cedar Street
Project Location: Cedar Street; Holbrook Drive to College Road, Mason 48854
Requested Amount: $1,710,082.00
Project Description: Road rehabilitation.


Snyder Road Project

Project Sponsor: City of East Lansing
Project Name: Snyder Road
Project Location: Marble Elementary School (729 North Hagadorn Road, East Lansing, MI 48823) and MacDonald Middle School (1601 Burcham Drive, East Lansing, MI, 48823)
Requested Amount: $263,500.00
Project Description: Traffic safety and pedestrian crossing improvements.


South Pennsylvania Avenue Project

Project Sponsor: City of Lansing
Project Name: South Pennsylvania Avenue
Project Location: Pennsylvania Avenue; Mt. Hope Avenue to Health Care Court, Lansing 48910
Requested Amount: $1,472,000.00
Project Description: Road reconstruction.

Waverly Road Project

Project Sponsor: City of Lansing
Project Name: Waverly Road
Project Location: Waverly Road; Holmes Road and Jolly Road, Lansing 48911
Requested Amount: $531,442.00
Project Description: Road rehabilitation and sidewalk gap fill.

Project Sponsor: City of Lansing
Project Name: Waverly Road
Project Location: Waverly Road; Holmes Road and Jolly Road, Lansing 48911
Requested Amount: $213,320.00
Project Description: Road rehabilitation and sidewalk gap fill.

West Silver Bell Road Project

Project Sponsor: Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC)
Project Name: West Silver Bell Road
Project Location: Brown, Giddings, and Silverbell Roads; Jamm Road to Lapeer Road (M-24), Auburn Hills and Orion Township 48359 and 48326
Requested Amount: $4,200,000.00
Project Description: Road rehabilitation.