State Unveils $34 Million in Clean Water Projects
The MDEQ will distribute $34.5 million in low-interest loans to eight water quality projects across the state, according to an announcement made last week.
Manistee, Dearborn and Huron County will receive money from the State Revolving Fund (SRF) for three wastewater treatment projects. Port Huron, Reed City, Ypsilanti Township, as well as Barry and Sanilac counties will all receive money from the Drinking Water Receiving Fund.
MITA has been working with state and local units of government to encourage greater use of available water quality dollars. Interest rates are at a historic low of 1.625 percent for the SRF, while the drinking water loan rate is at 2.125 percent. These low interest rates can help entice local government to invest in much-needed upgrades to municipal water systems.
A 16% Federal Spending Increase Proposed for MI Highways
Michigan could receive a healthy boost in federal highway funding next year, under a spending plan being considered in the United States Congress.
The House Appropriations Committee unveiled a proposal that called on Michigan to receive over $986 million in guaranteed funding for FY 2007. This is a sizeable increase from the nearly $829 million guaranteed for 2006. Much of this increase was a result of the SAFETEA-LU formula, but a significant portion of the increase was because the Highway Trust Fund revenues exceeded expectations.
The overall appropriations bill would provide $39.1 billion for the federal highway program (a $3.4 billion increase) and $898 billion for the transit program (a $470 million increase).
If you have any questions please contact Mike Nystrom, Vice President of Government and Public Relations at mikenystrom@mi-ita.com ; or Keith Ledbetter, Director of Legislative Affairs at keithledbetter@mi-ita.com ; or by calling the MITA office at (517) 347-8336.
