Great Lakes Wire

Nine Michigan communities will receive a total of nearly $15 million to upgrade their water systems.

The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) approved Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for vital water-related public infrastructure projects, according to a press release from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's (D-MI) office. The governor and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) recently revealed the news. The funds are expected to help the state's growing economy continue to thrive.

"Quality, reliable water infrastructure is vital to the health of our residents and critical to the economic success of our communities," Whitmer said in the press release. "Today's nine projects totaling $15 million in infrastructure upgrades will support good-paying jobs, protect access to safe drinking water for residents, and lower costs for households and small businesses.

"When we work together on the fundamentals, including water infrastructure, we create a solid foundation for economic growth. I will work with anyone to ensure every Michigander has the resources they need to thrive and every community has the infrastructure to support job-creating projects."

Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO of MEDC and president and chair of the MSF Board, also spoke about the grants.

"Thriving communities and talent attraction are vital to our overall economic development strategy," Messer said in the press release. "Water is essential, and we are fortunate to be near 20% of the world's freshwater. It's vital that we make investments in our infrastructure to support that growth and ensure a bright future for all Michiganders.

"From Clare to Dowagiac, to Hillsdale to Iron River, these grants will allow communities throughout our state to make the improvements needed to remain vibrant and attractive places, driving long-term health and economic opportunity for Michiganders."

The MSF will provide CDBG with $450,000 in funds for administrative services, the press release noted. These funds will be used to aid the communities "with the compliance and administrative requirements of the awards."

"The city of Evart is grateful for the upgrades to our wastewater system that this funding will help implement," Pepper Lockhart, city manager, said in the news release. "It will ensure that we have backup power in the event of an emergency power outage for our treatment plant and will also provide much-needed upgrades to the city's sanitary sewer collection lines."