LANSING, Mich. — The state Legislature has sent the final pieces of the state budget to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for approval. If signed, the fiscal year 2022 budget would be complete.
State Sen. Kevin Daley led the charge on ensuring local projects in the 31st District received funding.
“This budget funds a number of critical priorities for the state — and does so without raising taxes on Michiganders,” said Daley, R-Lum. “I was also able to secure a number of funding measures that will directly benefit our local communities.”
The fiscal year 2022 budget contains funding for efforts specific to the 31st District, including local bridge repairs and other high-priority projects.
Bay County would be granted $2.5 million for a road repair project on Three Mile Road, from Midland Road to M-84/Westside Saginaw Road in Monitor and Frankenlust townships.
The 2.5-mile section of two-lane roadway parallels a large county drain, and portions of both the east and west lanes are currently falling into the drain. Daley was able to secure funding to move a majority of the drain away from Three Mile Road, which will allow the road commission to stabilize both lanes of traffic.
Bay County also received $300,000 to enhance the Bay Veterans Foundation Workshop and Learning Center, which when opened, will offer opportunities to learn vital trade skills, give back to the community, and connect with other veterans’ services agencies and available resources.
“Bay County is home to one of the highest concentrations of veterans per capita in Michigan’s 83 counties,” Daley said. “There are several terrific organizations in the area that work hard to give back to those who served our country, and the new veterans center will allow them to come together and pool resources to better help area veterans.”
Tuscola County would also receive funding for economic development projects meant to bring more specialized manufacturing jobs to the area.
Walbro LLC was founded in Michigan in 1950 and is a manufacturer of carburetors, fuel tanks, fuel systems, ignition systems, fuel pumps, and more for the lawn and garden, recreational and marine, construction, agriculture and outdoor power equipment markets.
The company has facilities across the globe — including 350 employees currently working in Michigan. Funding in the new budget would build on a recent economic development grant the company received from the state to help them grow their operations in Michigan.
“This development is great news for both Cass City and Michigan as a whole,” Daley said. “We’ve shown our dedication to helping Walbro grow in Michigan, and these funds will build on previous efforts to create more manufacturing jobs in the 31st District.”
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