KILDEE APPLAUDS HOUSE PASSAGE OF LOCAL COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING TO GROW MID-MICHIGAN’S ECONOMY

WASHINGTON—Congressman Dan Kildee, Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today applauded the passage of legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that includes eight Community Project Funding requests, benefitting Genesee, Saginaw and Bay County residents.

Congressman Kildee secured $21,031,664 for eight local projects as a part of the Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations bills passed this week, including the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development and Financial Services and General Government bills. This federal funding for local initiatives would support local economic development projects, small businesses, afterschool youth programming and strong neighborhoods by removing blight. Seven other local projects are part of other appropriations that are expected to be considered by the House soon.

“These economic development projects will make a real difference to strengthen neighborhoods and reinvest in our community,” Congressman Kildee said. “As a Member of Congress, one of my main responsibilities is to deliver federal funds back to mid-Michigan to help our community, and I am pleased to see that these crucial investments are one step closer to becoming law. I thank Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro and the Appropriations Committee for advancing these important mid-Michigan projects.”

Members of Congress can submit up to 15 local projects with demonstrated community support for consideration. Eight of Congressman Kildee’s 15 community project funding projects were advanced today, including:

• $4,000,000 to the Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Services (STARS), in coordination with Saginaw Valley State University, to build a mid-Michigan transit center to serve as a hub for several regional mass transit systems connecting communities and fostering economic development. STARS will also expand transit infrastructure in Saginaw County, including a viability study to retrofit the Potter Street Station and purchase new buses that have outlived their use.
  • “On behalf of STARS, I sincerely thank Congressman Kildee for his support of our agency and the riders that we serve daily. With this funding, we would be able to invest in sorely needed new vehicles, allowing us to continue and expand much-needed services across the region. These services would even better connect residents to medical and mental healthcare, jobs, education, and community services. The feasibility study for the historic Potter Street Station would allow us to research and lay the groundwork for a site expansion. This offers the potential of greener technologies, cleaner transit, and economic development. Saginaw deserves better, and I’m glad that Congressman Kildee recognizes this,” said Jamie Forbes, Director of External Affairs of Saginaw Transit & Authority.