LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) on Tuesday, October 25 to announce that nine communities around Michigan have been awarded nearly $15 million in Community Development Block Grant Water-Related Infrastructure grant funds to make necessary water-related infrastructure improvements, with the city of Dowagiac in Cass County being one of the recipients.
“Quality, reliable water infrastructure is vital to the health of our residents and critical to the economic success of our communities,” said Whitmer. “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.”
The city of Dowagiac is set to receive $1,140,000.
“The city of Dowagiac is excited for the opportunity the MEDC has provided to our citizens through the Water Related Infrastructure Grant,” said Assistant City Manager and Director of Human Resources Amanda Sleigh. “This grant provides the city with the means to complete a project that will significantly increase our system functionality, safety and reliability as well as work to replace services in an area where lead service lines are extremely prominent.”
The CDBG Water-Related Infrastructure program assists low- and moderate-income communities in making improvements or upgrades to their existing water, sewer, and wastewater public infrastructure systems. Grants are awarded to eligible communities on a competitive basis and can be used to improve or replace water lines, water mains and related facilities, and sanitary and storm sewer lines and related facilities.
The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) also approved up to $450,000 in CDBG funds to provide administrative services to assist the communities with the compliance and administrative requirements of the awards.
