Genesee News

WASHINGTON— Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-08) on July 14, 2023, announced a key congressional subcommittee advanced a spending bill that includes seven of his Community Project Funding requests that benefit Genesee, Saginaw, Bay and Midland County residents.

The House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development advanced its Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) spending bill. This bill includes $7.9 million in local initiatives that would help eliminate blight, build affordable housing and increase access to public parks for mid-Michigan residents.

“I am pleased to see seven of my Community Project Funding initiatives for Genesee, Saginaw, Bay and Midland County advance in the House of Representatives,” said Congressman Kildee. “These important projects will help eliminate blight, lower housing costs and improve the lives of mid-Michigan residents. I will continue working in Congress to bring federal resources back to mid-Michigan.”

The House Appropriations Committee provides Members of Congress the opportunity to direct federal resources for certain projects with demonstrated community support. Each Member of Congress can submit up to 15 projects for consideration. Seven of Congressman Kildee's Community Project Funding initiatives were advanced in the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, including:

$3,500,000 for the Saginaw County Land Bank Authority which would be used to eliminate key public safety threats by demolishing vacant properties and expanding affordable housing opportunities in Saginaw County.

• “Thank you, Congressman Kildee for working to secure this funding to help clean up vacant and blighted properties across Saginaw County. This project will help to promote economic development, expand affordable housing options and make our community a safer, healthier place for Saginaw families,” said Tim Novak, Chair of the Saginaw County Land Bank Authority.
• “We are thankful to Congressman Dan Kildee for championing this cause to reduce the number of homeless and displaced veterans in Saginaw County. Through his support and leadership, we hope to receive funding to build new housing for many of the underserved veterans in this community. These veterans have served us and because of Congressman Kildee's efforts we can continue to serve them. God Bless You, Congressman Dan Kildee,” said Pastor Fred A. Lewis, President and CEO of Compassionate Care Network Inc.
• “Michigan Community Capital is grateful for Congressman Kildee's support of the Second National redevelopment project. This funding will help preserve and revitalize the region's most iconic landmark, while also creating desperately needed housing for working households,” said Eric Kehoe, Real Estate Development Manager at Michigan Community Capital.

$1,050,000 for Communities First, Inc. in Flint which would be used to renovate the Marian Hall building, converting it to affordable housing, and restore the Masonic Temple building into a mixed-use space for the community.

• “Communities First, Inc. would like to thank Congressman Dan Kildee for his commitment to the City of Flint and Genesee County. This funding will be used to transform the Flint Masonic Temple into a community venue that will support cultural and equitable programming as well as support quality, affordable housing through our Marian Hall Development Project. Through opportunities like this one, Communities First is excited to continue to build healthy, vibrant communities,” said Glenn Wilson, President and CEO of Communities First, Inc.

$1,000,000 for Bay County which would be used for completing renovations at the Bay County Community Center as well as removal of blighted vacant buildings in the community that contribute to crime.

• “Thank you, Congressman Kildee, for your unwavering support for the safety, well-being and improved quality of life for our citizens in regard to blight reduction, housing redevelopment and community recreational expansion in Bay County. I am thankful for Congressman Kildee's continued outreach and advocacy for the betterment of the people residing in the Eighth Congressional District,” said Jim Barcia, Bay County Executive.
• “I would like to thank Congressman Kildee for his unwavering support of the Bay County Land Bank Authority and its mission. This funding is another example of Congressman Kildee's commitment to Bay County. These funds will be used to demolish vacant dilapidated residential homes and structures located in Bay County. The demolition of these parcels will help improve property values and remove barriers to public health that currently exist within our community,” said Weston Price, Bay County Treasurer.

$850,000 for the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission which would be used for the improvement of parks and recreational spaces across Genesee County. Specifically, the upgrades to these parks will ensure these spaces are accessible for people with physical and developmental disabilities.

• “Thank you, Congressman Kildee, on behalf of all the citizens of Genesee County for your efforts in helping pass our Community Project Funding through the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. The pandemic really highlighted how important it is for a community to provide recreational opportunities for all generations and abilities, and Congressman Dan Kildee has shown he truly cares about his constituents in his support to help find funding for our parks and recreation facilities. Grand Blanc Township is grateful for his leadership and engagement that supports low and no cost recreational opportunities for all. We will use these funds to expand our ADA accessibility and achieve our goal for ‘A Park Without Limits’,” said Dennis Liimatta, Grand Blanc Township Superintendent.
• “We are fortunate and thankful to have Congressman Dan Kildee looking out for the residents and visitors of Otterburn Park, in the City of Swartz Creek. His support in providing funding to make accessibility a priority for outdoor recreation for the residents and visitors to Otterburn Park is truly remarkable. This funding will help to complete the vision of the City of Swartz Creek and the Disability Network to provide a strong, diverse community that is built on all Swartz Creek residents and area visitors having access and inclusion. The City of Swartz Creek is committed to making outdoor recreation accessible to all citizens regardless of their ability,” said David Krueger, City of Swartz Creek Mayor.
• “Mundy Township is fortunate to have Congressman Dan Kildee looking out for those children and families with disabilities that need access to outdoor recreation. His unwavering support in providing funding for accessible elements at Mundy Miracle Commons shows his commitment to inclusion that children and families can enjoy equal recreational opportunities, regardless of ability. Mundy Miracle Commons is the future home of the Miracle League of Greater Flint ballfield, and the additional amenities made possible by this funding will help establish the facility as the largest barrier free park in Genesee County,” said Tonya Ketzler, Mundy Township Supervisor.

$500,000 for the Frankenmuth Downtown Development Authority (DDA) which would be used for constructing a roundabout and reconverting a roadway that would improve the safety of the road.

• “We greatly appreciate Congressman Kildee’s efforts to advance our project through the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, Urban Development and Related Agencies. With tourism as Frankenmuth's primary industry, this funding will improve safety for both our guests and residents - making it easier to visit, work and stay,” said Dan Hopp, Frankenmuth DDA Executive Director.

$500,000 for Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) which would be used to connect two current fixed-route transit authorities, Bay County (Bay Metro) and City of Saginaw (STARS), at SVSU.

• “SVSU sincerely appreciates Congressman Kildee's efforts to help pass funding to promote mass transit opportunities, not only for our students, faculty and staff, but for individuals throughout our community. We appreciate Congressman Kildee’s commitment to ensuring residents throughout mid-Michigan have access to public transit, and we appreciate the support for our Community Project Funding through the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, Urban Development and Related Agencies,” said George Grant Jr., President of SVSU.

$500,000 for Bay, Genesee, Saginaw and Midland Habitats for Humanity which would be used to make critical home repairs, including to energy systems and roofs, for veterans and low-income households to address health and safety issues.

• “Congressman Dan Kildee is truly a civil servant and champion for the communities he serves! The funds he is helping to make available for our region through Bay, Genesee, Midland and Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitats for Humanity will bring additional units of affordable housing to our region and will repair hundreds of homes owned by families who would be unable to make critical home repairs without financial assistance. Thank you, Congressman Kildee, for moving your communities forward,” said Carmen Mora, Executive Director of Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity.
• “Midland County Habitat for Humanity would like to thank Congressman Kildee for supporting affordable housing in Midland County! A decent place to live can remove barriers to opportunity, success and health that might have been a part of a family's life for years if not generations. Better, affordable living conditions lead to improved health, a greater chance for children to pursue advanced education, stronger childhood development and give families the ability—and financial flexibility—to make forward-looking choices. Through financial support, volunteering and adding a voice to support affordable housing, Congressman Kildee is helping families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. By supporting a new home build and owner-occupied home repairs in our community, Congressman Kildee is investing in the future of our county,” said Jennifer Chappel, President and CEO of the Midland County Habitat for Humanity.
• “Bay County Habitat for Humanity would like to give our heartfelt thanks to Congressman Dan Kildee for the countless hours they continue to spend helping families in the Great Lakes Bay region. The funding they have secured will not only help our neighbors and veterans with much needed critical home repairs, but will be helping to build affordable housing here in Bay County. God bless and thank you,” said Brian Krause, Executive Director of Bay County Habitat for Humanity.

Under the Community Project Funding initiative, only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding.

Original source can be found here.