caresactswmpc

SW Michigan Planning Commission Getting $400K in CARES Act Grant

caresactswmpc

The Benton Harbor-based metropolitan planning agency for our region, the Southwestern Michigan Planning Commission is getting $400,000 in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant money according to a dispatch from the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

The money, part of a total of $3.8-million being split among 10 EDA Economic Development Districts in the state, will be used locally “to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by helping to drive the coordination of recovery efforts to align assets and catalyze a resilient, mobile, digitally-connected, farm-to-table Southwest Michigan.”

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced the funding Thursday afternoon in efforts to fortify programs to assist communities in responding to the pandemic.

Ross says, “The Trump Administration is eager to allocate these essential CARES Act funds and deliver on our promise to help American communities recover from the impact of COVID-19.” He adds, “I am proud of the perseverance and strength shown by our communities coast to coast throughout this pandemic, and these funds will help provide Michigan with resources to make a swift and lasting economic comeback.”

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Dana Gartzke, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, says, “These investments come at a crucial time to help Michigan’s and our nation’s economy come roaring back and provide hard-working Americans with new opportunities,” and adds, “We are pleased to make these investments in Michigan’s EDA Economic Development Districts to help them prevent, prepare, and respond to coronavirus.”

Michigan Congressman Bill Huizenga says, “By addressing manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism, this $400,000 grant targets the three pillars of opportunity across West Michigan for not only economic recovery but economic expansion.”

Congressman Tim Walberg says, “The CARES Act continues to deliver critical resources for communities in need across Michigan.”

The EDA investments announced Thursday include:

  • $400,000 to the Southwestern Michigan Planning Commission in Benton Harbor
  • $250,000 to the West Michigan Regional Planning Commission in Grand Rapids
  • $400,000 to the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission in Muskegon
  • $400,000 to the Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Regional Commission in Escanaba
  • $400,000 to the Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Planning and Development Commission in Sault Ste. Marie
  • $400,000 to the East Michigan Council of Governments in Saginaw
  • $400,000 to the Northeast Michigan Council of Governments in Gaylord
  • $400,000 to the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments in Traverse City
  • $400,000 to the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region Commission in Hancock
  • $351,183 to the Region 2 Planning Commission in Jackson