Four new Livingston County proposals are among 15 community projects in Michigan’s 8th District that 8th District Democrat Elissa Slotkin will be advocating to receive direct federal funding.
Among the local projects being proposed are a $1.3 million dollar Aerial Ladder Truck for the Green Oak Township Fire Department, reconstruction of the Depot Lot in Howell for just under $1.2 million, approximately $1.17 million for Livingston County Emergency Management to purchase Power Loading Ambulance Equipment and $900,000 for the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority to complete Regional Trail Connections.
“My top priority in selecting these 15 projects was to look for real solutions to the issues facing communities across Michigan’s 8th district, and that means ensuring our police, firefighters, and first responders have the resources and tools they need to do their jobs, making sure our students are safe at school, and supporting and expanding access to clean water,” said Slotkin. “The projects I chose were all vetted and demonstrated broad community support.”
Slotkin says the requests, which were winnowed from 90 down to 15, will now go through the Appropriations Committee in the House and Senate, calling it “a long road” with “no guarantees,” but that she and her staff and will be fighting for the projects “at every step.”
Selected projects had to be from a state or local government or a public institution of higher education and located in Michigan’s 8th district. The proposal also had to demonstrate the project has robust community support, would have a significant impact on the community, and would be a good use of taxpayer dollars.
Here are details on the four projects in Livingston County;
Project Sponsor: City of Howell
Recipient Address: 611 E. Grand River Avenue, Howell, MI 48843
Requested Amount: $1,180,000
Request Purpose: Depot Lot Reconstruction
Recipient explanation of request and justification for why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds: The City of Howell has submitted a proposal for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Howell Depot Lot, to provide a safe and usable space including the addition of 40 spaces for visitors, for access to downtown businesses and community recreation activities, including a winter ice rink.
The proposal for the depot lot reconstruction has broad community support, including letters of support from the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce and local businesses.
Project Sponsor: Green Oak Charter Township Fire Department
Recipient Address: 10001 Silver Lake Road, Brighton, MI 48116
Requested Amount: $1,371,740
Request Purpose: Aerial Ladder Truck
Recipient explanation of request and justification for why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds: The Green Oak Charter Township Fire Department has submitted a proposal to replace a 27-year-old aerial ladder truck. The Township notes that the truck”is in need of replacement due to increased maintenance costs and decreasing reliability.”
The proposal for a new ladder truck has broad community support, including letters of support from neighboring township’s fire authorities.
Project Sponsor: Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority
Recipient Address: 5303 S. Cedar Street, Lansing, MI 48911
Requested Amount: $900,000
Request Purpose: Livingston County Regional Trail Connections
Recipient explanation of request and justification for why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds: The Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority has proposed an engineering design project for trail connections to improve the trail network throughout Livingston County and better connect secondary trails, recreation areas, and population centers into the primary Great Lake-to-Lake Trail. The would provide connections to four regional parks: Brighton State Recreation Area, Huron Meadows Metropark.
The proposal for the trail connections has broad community support, including letters from the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments.
Project Sponsor: Livingston County Emergency Management Services
Recipient Address: 1911 Tooley Road, Howell, MI 48855
Requested Amount: $1,169,950
Request Purpose: Power Loading Ambulance Equipment
Recipient explanation of request and justification for why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds: Livingston County Emergency Management Services’ has submitted a proposal for power loading ambulance equipment. Livingston County EMS notes that that one in four EMS workers suffers a career-ending back injury within the first four years of their employment, and that lifting a loaded cot into an ambulance can pose injury risks to patients. This project would preserve the wellbeing of the County’s EMS employees and increase patient safety.
The proposal has broad community support, including letters of support from multiple medical facilities, healthcare providers, fire and police agencies, and nursing facilities.
