Michigan Legislature passes $4.8 billion infrastructure spending plan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer is expected to sign the bill with money going towards recreational and water infrastructure
LANSING, Mich. (WLUC) - The state of Michigan will soon see infrastructure improvements. On Thursday, both the State House and State Senate easily passed a $4.8 billion dollar spending plan.
InvestUP CEO Marty Fittante says one of the many positive impacts for the U.P. will be on recreation.
“The $450 million that’s being put into parks and trails is really important for us in that respect,” said Fittante. “So, as we talk about economic and community drivers, that investment will, I think, really return rewards for the Upper Peninsula.”
In addition, $750 million will be for statewide water infrastructure improvements, at least $250 million for broadband access, and $100 million for housing.
While it is unclear how much funding the U.P. will get overall, Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, says there is a certain amount for Copper Peak improvements.
“That’s a $20 million investment into the western U.P.,” McBroom explained. “It’s something. That area has been desperately in need of attention economically.”
Rep. Sara Cambensy, D-Marquette, went further, saying in a statement, “The economic growth that will come from this unprecedented investment is unlike anything U.P. legislators have been able to capture since building the Mackinac Bridge.”
As for housing, Fittante says there is still a need for a $50 million Regional Transformation Fund to address issues in the area.
“Our challenges here on the housing side are different that in the rest of the state,” Fittante stated. “And so, we’re hopeful that the {Whitmer} Administration and legislators recognize that.”
Senator McBroom also wants to continue that conversation.
“I think the whole U.P. delegation recognizes that this housing issue, along with several other economic investment opportunities for the U.P., need to continue to be discussed and litigated,” he said.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer says she will sign the measure. McBroom believes the U.P. could start seeing initial impacts of the bill by late summer or early fall.
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