Community Project Funding
Congressman Moolenaar requested funding for the following community projects. The links below provide information and details on the requested funding.
2025
Shelby Township
Provide a funding level of $1,200,000 for the Shelby Acres project. The intended recipient is Shelby Township, located at 204 N. Michigan Ave., Shelby, Michigan 49455. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will increase housing supply and improve home affordability, and this project will provide a crucial resource required for the betterment and growth of this community.
Fruitland Township
Provide a funding level of $9,074,000 for the North Scenic Drive Non-Motorized Pathway. The intended recipient is Fruitland Township, located at 4545 Nestrom Road, Whitehall, Michigan, 49461. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will enhance the community’s scenic corridor, provide recreational opportunities to residents and visitors, improve connectivity of existing recreation features including Duck Lake State Park, Muskegon State Park, and Pioneer County Park, and preserve the natural habitat while creating public amenities.
Pentwater Harbor
Provide a funding level of $2,045,000 for the Pentwater Harbor, Michigan project. The intended recipient is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because thePentwater Channel depth has reached a critical stage threatening its continued viability for use. The funding would help dredge the channel and maintain access with its boating, fishing and charter vessel traffic to supplement visitor traffic to local businesses.
City of Big Rapids
Provide a funding level of $377,161 for the City of Big Rapids Fire Truck Project. The intended recipient is the City of Big Rapids, located at 226 North Michigan Avenue, Big Rapids, Michigan 49307. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the city’s current engine is well past its expected service life, posing a risk to public safety. This project would enable the city to purchase a new pumper tanker fire truck, which will improve the safety of the community and effectiveness of the fire suppression efforts of the Big Rapids Fire Department.
City of Cadillac
Provide a funding level of $1,460,000 for the City of Cadillac PFAS Management Project - Phase 1. The intended recipient is the City of Cadillac, located at 200 N Lake St, Cadillac, MI 49601. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would enable the city to connect 150 properties utilizing private wells found to contain high PFAS levels to the city's municipal water system.
Charter Township of Caledonia
Provide a funding level of $2,000,000 for the Caledonia Kraft Avenue Water Trunkline Project. The intended recipient is the Charter Township of Caledonia located at 8196 Broadmoor Avenue SE, Caledonia, MI 49316. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it is an important part of a larger effort to consolidate the Caledonia Charter Township water system with the City of Grand Rapids water system. The need for the trunkline is dire because the Caledonia Water System is sourced by two well fields - one of which provides water that exceeds the maximum limit for sulfate.
Central Montcalm Public School District
Provide a funding level of $225,000 for the Central Montcalm Early Childhood Center Project. The intended recipient is the Central Montcalm Public School District located at 1480 South Sheridan Road, Stanton, MI 48888. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because Stanton is a childcare desert. The addition of five more classrooms would provide a safe, licensed, play-based, nurturing environment to promote the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and creative development of children and infants through five years of age.
Clement Township
Provide a funding level of $187,500 for the Clement Township Collaborative Community Center Project. The intended recipient is Clement Township, located at 1497 E. M-30, Alger, MI 48610. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because citizens will benefit from the collaborative use of the center by charity and support organizations, as well as being able to facilitate community town hall sessions, community education and awareness events, and general community events.
Four Lakes Task Force
Provide a funding level of $2,250,000 for the Four Lakes Restoration - Edenville Dam Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Project. The intended recipient is the Four Lakes Task Force located at 233 East Larkin Street, Suite 2, Midland, MI 48640. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would help the dam recover from the catastrophic dam failure that occurred in May 2020, which sent billions of cubic feet of water flowing down river and caused millions of dollars in damage. This dam failure received a federal disaster declaration in July 2020.
Village of Sparta
Provide a funding level of $2,960,000 for the Gardner Street Wastewater Upgrade Project. The intended recipient is the Village of Sparta, located 156 East Division St, Sparta, MI 49345. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would enable the village to upgrade wastewater mains along East and West Gardner Street in order to increase the wastewater flow capacity from the west side of the village to the sewer plant. By increasing capacity, this project will unlock significant development potential, ensuring the village can support future business and housing growth.
Lake Mitchell Sewer Authority
Provide a funding level of $5,000,000 for the Lake Mitchell Sewer Improvement Project. The intended recipient is the Lake Mitchell Sewer Authority, located at 3161 South Lake Mitchell Drive, Cadillac, MI 49601. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the Lake Mitchell Sewer’s piping systems are 46 years old and the funding would help it make updates required by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.
City of Lowell
Provide a funding level of $4,000,000 for the City of Lowell Water Treatment Plant Expansion Project. The intended recipient is the City of Lowell, located at 301 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the City of Lowell has grown dramatically since the current water treatment plant was first constructed, and consequently, is unable to keep up with demand. The city has had to put in place water-use restrictions for the past three summers and anticipates the state will soon mandate the expansion of the facility to ensure adequate water supply for the system.
Mason County Road Commission
Provide a funding level of $3,500,000 for the Mason County Road Commission Facility Project. The intended recipient is the Mason County Road Commission located at 510 East State Street, P.O. Box 247, Scottville, MI 49454. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the Mason County Road Commission facility is 85 years old and has aged to the point of being an unsafe work environment. This project would allow the commission to better serve the public while also protecting the investments of the taxpayers and allowing quick response times in emergencies and inclement weather conditions.
Webber Township
Provide a funding level of $750,000 for the Lift Station Project. The intended recipient is Webber Township, located at 2286 West Springtime Street, PO Box 939, Baldwin, MI 49304. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would enable the township to construct a new lift station to support the re-opening of the North Lake Facility in Baldwin, Michigan, supporting the economic growth of the region and the health of citizens.
Central Michigan University
Provide a funding level of $3,559,529 for the Central Michigan University Research Corporation’s Rural Critical Mineral Alliance Project. The intended recipient is Central Michigan University, located at 1200 South Franklin Street, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will enhance collaboration between research and industry that will foster long-term economic resiliency at the regional, state, and national level, contributing to technologies and research standards that will impact both economic stability and national security.
2024
Belding City
Provide a funding level of $3,200,000 for the Belding Wastewaters System Improvements Project. The intended recipient is the City of Belding located at 120 S. Pleasant Street, Belding, MI 48809. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would help Belding complete updates required by the State of Michigan to address its failing lagoon system and per- and polyfluorinated substances.
Caledonia Township
Provide a funding level of $2,000,000 for the Charter Township of Caledonia Kraft Avenue Water Trunkline for Caledonia Consolidation with Grand Rapids Water System. The intended recipient is the Charter Township of Caledonia located at 8196 Broadmoor Avenue SE, Caledonia, MI 49316. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it is an important part of a larger effort to consolidate the Caledonia Charter Township water system with the City of Grand Rapids water system. The need for the trunkline is dire because the Caledonia Water System is sourced by two well fields - one of which provides water that exceeds the maximum limit for sulfate.
Casnovia Township
Provide a funding level of $590,000 for the Casnovia Township Fire Station Replacement Project. The intended recipient is Casnovia Township located at 245 Canada Road, Casnovia, MI 49318. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the Casanovia Township Fire Station is over 70 years old and does not meet the current needs of the community. Casnovia Township does not have fire hydrants, so the ability to house these trucks is crucial to the safety of the community.
Central Montcalm Public School District
Provide a funding level of $225,000 for the Central Montcalm Early Childhood Center Project. The intended recipient is the Central Montcalm Public School District located at 1480 South Sheridan Road, Stanton, MI 48888. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because Stanton is a childcare desert. The addition of five more classrooms would provide a safe, licensed, play-based, nurturing environment to promote the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and creative development of children and infants through five years of age.
Four Lakes Task Force
Provide a funding level of $2,250,000 for the Four Lakes Restoration - Edenville Dam Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Project. The intended recipient is the Four Lakes Task Force located at 233 East Larkin Street, Suite 2, Midland, MI 48640. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would help the dam recover from the catastrophic dam failure that occurred in May 2020, which sent billions of cubic feet of water flowing down river and caused millions of dollars in damage. This dam failure received a federal disaster declaration in July 2020.
Fruitland Township
Provide a funding level of $9,074,000 for the North Scenic Drive Non-Motorized Pathway. The intended recipient is Fruitland Township located at 4545 Nestrom Road, White Hall, MI 49461. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer dollars because it will provide significant benefits to the community, serving low-income individuals, creating a significant anchor for tourism, and preserving natural habitat while creating public amenities.
Lake Mitchell Sewer Authority
Provide a funding level of $5,000,000 for the Lake Mitchell Sewer Improvement Project. The intended recipient is the Lake Mitchell Sewer Authority located at 3161 South Lake Mitchell Drive, Cadillac, MI 49601. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because Lake Mitchell Sewer’s pumping systems are 46 years old and the funding would help it make updates required by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
Mason County Road Commission
Provide a funding level of $3,500,000 for the Mason County Road Commission Facility Project. The intended recipient is the Mason County Road Commission located at 510 East State Street, P.O. Box 247, Scottville, MI 49454. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the Mason County Road Commission facility is 85 years old and has aged to the point of being an unsafe work environment. This project would allow the Commission to better serve the public while also protecting the investments of the taxpayers and allowing quick response times in emergencies and inclement weather conditions.
2023
Ferris State University
Provide a funding level of $1,920,000 for the Ferris State University Chemical Analysis Equipment project as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is Ferris State University located at 420 Oak Street, Prakken 101, Big Rapids, MI 49307. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would support the purchase and integration of chemical analysis equipment, including a one-year equipment integration technician, critical to designing and testing novel chemical compounds that target drug-resistant cancers and advance scientific understanding of chemical drug resistance.
Kent County Youth Agricultural Association
Provide a funding level of $2,000,000 for the Kent County Youth Agricultural Association Grand Agricultural Center of West Michigan project as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the Kent County Youth Agricultural Association. The project is located at 13955 Cascade Road SE in Lowell, MI 49331. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would provide significant benefits to the community, including developing leadership and career skills for youth, serving low-income individuals, creating a significant anchor for tourism, education, and agriculture, and preserving natural habitat while creating public amenities.
Michigan Community Capital
Provide a funding level of $2,900,000 for the Michigan Community Capital Cadillac Loft Phase II project as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the Michigan Community Capital located at 502 E Cesar E Chavez Avenue, Suite A, Lansing, MI 48906. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would address the need for new housing and community investment in downtown Cadillac. The project would offset the high cost of construction and the available rental rates in town while also providing workforce housing that is affordable for working people in the region.
Midland County
Provide a funding level of $2,000,000 for the County of Midland Snag and Debris Removal Flood Prevention and Watershed Protection project as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is County of Midland, Office of the Midland County Drain Commissioner located at 220 Ellsworth Street, Midland, MI 48640. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would help reduce the severity and frequency of flooding in the region, and improve stormwater drainage and improve the water quality of downstream rivers and the Saginaw Bay.
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan
Provide a funding level of $1,681,600 for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan Isabella Wastewater Treatment Plant project as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan located at 7500 Soaring Eagle Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because a solid wastewater infrastructure is imperative to the Reservation and the surrounding area. The need for replacement infrastructure is needed due to the poor condition of the facility and the community’s reliance on the services it provides.
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan
Provide a funding level of $1,480,000 for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan Isabella Fresh Water Treatment Plant project as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan located at 7500 Soaring Eagle Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because a solid fresh water infrastructure is imperative to the Reservation and the surrounding area. The need for replacement infrastructure is needed due to the poor condition of the facility and the community’s reliance on the services it provides.
Shelby Township
Provide a funding level of $800,000 for the Shelby Township Shelby Community Park project as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is Shelby located at 204 North Michigan Avenue, Shelby, MI 49455. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would generate economic value by attracting visitors and driving tourism, enhancing property values, creating job opportunities, and increasing tax revenues. This, in turn, would support a strong workforce and contribute to the long-term sustainability of Shelby Township and Oceana County.
Sparta Fire Department
Provide a funding level of $1,000,000 for the Sparta Fire Department Expansion and Renovation project as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the Sparta Fire Department located at 45 North State Street, Sparta, MI 49345. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would enable the department to provide better service to the community by updating the building and infrastructure to adequately house the fire suppression and medical first responder equipment, provide crews with proper areas to clean gear and locker rooms to clean up after a call, as well as provide shelter in case of a natural disaster or state of emergency event.
2022
City of Frankenmuth
Provide a funding level of $1,000,000 for the City of Frankenmuth Heritage Park Riverwalk project as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the City of Frankenmuth located at 240 West Genesee Street, Frankenmuth, MI 48734. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would complete a 30-year old project providing outdoor recreation, economic development opportunities and connect all current paths within the community.
McLaren Central Michigan
Provide a funding level of $849,358 for the McLaren Central Michigan MRI Replacement Project as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is McLaren Central Michigan, located at 1221 South Drive, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because upgrading and replacing the hospital’s current MRI system to one more current will better serve the five rural counties and its residents. With this replacement, vendor support and service will not terminate at the beginning of 2023, and the hospital will be able to avoid gaps in service and not compromise patient safety.
City of Midland
Provide a funding level of $1,000,000 for the City of Midland Sylvan Pump Station Detention Basin project as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the City of Midland located at 333 West Ellsworth Street, Midland, MI 48640. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would respond to the critical infrastructure needs that have arisen due to the historic flooding in 2017 and 2020 by strengthening the system to be more resilient during high flood events.
Midland County
Provide $750,000 for Midland County, in coordination with the State of Michigan, private landowners, and local leaders, to redesign traditional drains and improve stormwater drainage after several historic flooding events. The most recent flooding event was in 2020 when a significant rain event contributed to the catastrophic failure of two dams. The proposed project will create ecologically functional floodplains, allowing stormwater to flow into formerly disconnected floodplains. The result will be increased stormwater storage during large runoff events, improved soil health, reduced erosion, improved water quality, enhanced vegetation and wildlife habitat, and reduced damage caused by floods and other natural disasters
Letter of Certification
Michigan Heroes Museum
Provide a funding level of $215,800 for the Michigan Heroes Next Door Educational Program Project as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is Michigan’s Own, Inc. dba – Michigan Heroes Museum, located at 1250 Weiss Street, Frankenmuth, MI 48734. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because digitizing the collection of stories of Michigan veterans and astronauts and making this medium available in several new formats that can be utilized for K-12 history and social science curricula will provide online learning platforms and increase access to these museum resources for teachers, students, and other groups. By utilizing recent technological innovations via internet and social media, the project will not only offer new and exciting educational platforms for K-12 students but also enhance historical records and enrich the experience of visiting the museum.
My Michigan Health Medical Center Midland
Provide a funding level of $2,000,000 for the MyMichigan Health Medical Center Midland Boiler Plant and Flood Resiliency Project as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is MyMichigan Health Foundation, located at 4000 Wellness Drive, Midland, MI 48670. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because construction of a new boiler plant, located outside of the flood-prone area on higher ground, is essential to support critical functions of the hospital and campus (inpatient and emergency services) including the hospital’s heating, humidification, sterilization processes, hot water, and to supply 160-degree water required for operations of the hospital’s kitchen. The current boiler plant sustained significant damage from the historic flooding in May 2020 following the breach of two local dams that led to a federal major disaster declaration (DR-4547-MI).
City of Perry
Provide a funding level of $130,000 for the City of Perry Security Upgrades project as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the City of Perry located at 203 West Polly Street, Perry, MI 48872. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would respond to critical security and technology needs improving police effectiveness and preparedness.
Presbyterian Villages of Michigan - Village of Rosebush Manor
Provide a funding level of $115,000 for the Telehealth for Rural Seniors Project as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is Presbyterian Villages of Michigan – Village of Rosebush Manor, located at 4210 East Rosebush Road, Rosebush, MI 48878. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because telehealth access to primary care physicians and medical specialists that currently do not exist without traveling long distances, which is both difficult during the Michigan winters and often poses additional risks to the health of seniors, will make regular doctor visits more feasible and allow for better management of chronic conditions, medications and overall lifestyle in a more cost-efficient manner. Establishing a medical suite for patients to utilize telemedicine services is especially needed in a community like Rosebush where many people may not have access to the high-speed internet connections and devices necessary to perform even a simple video visit.
2021
Village of Breckenridge
Provide a funding level of $1,646,932 for the Breckenridge Industrial, Technology and Agri-Business Park Phase II as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the Village of Breckenridge. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would build the needed capacity for developed lots for industrial, technology and agribusiness expansion and will lead to the creation of over 200 new jobs and an estimate of $10 million of investment within the Breckenridge area and the Great Lakes Bay region. This project will provide for 19 new developed lots with full infrastructure, all season roads, lighting, and access to a major thoroughfare.
City of Big Rapids
Provide a funding level of $1,827,000 for the Roben-Hood Airport in Big Rapids. The entity to receive funding for this project is the City of Big Rapids, Michigan located at 226 North Michigan Avenue, Big Rapids, MI 49307. This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would invest in infrastructure and would be used to extend Roben-Hood Airport’s runway from a length of 4,300-feet to a length of 5,000-feet, with a full parallel taxiway, high intensity runway lighting, a precision approach, and a segmented circle to accommodate both existing and future users.
Central Michigan University
Provide a funding level of $350,000 for the Central Michigan University Telepsychiatry Outreach for Suicide Prevention in Rural Medically Underserved Communities Project as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is Central Michigan University’s College of Medicine, located at 1280 East Campus Drive, Mount Pleasant, MI 44859, The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because, according to the March 2021 Michigan Suicide Commission Report, suicide rates are generally higher in more rural area and the northeastern half of the Lower Peninsula and the eastern portion of the Upper Peninsula have the highest age-adjusted suicide rates in the state. There is also a behavioral health provider service gap in these rural areas, which has been complicated by the uneven geographic distribution of psychiatrists, where two-thirds of the state’s psychiatrists are based in the Ann Arbor-Detroit areas. This project would boost the capacity of telehealth assets across the 15 counties in Michigan’s Fourth Congressional District to strengthen telepsychiatry services with a focus on reducing youth suicide deaths and attempts which unfortunately has been exacerbated by COVID-19.
Letter of Certification
Clinton County Area Transit System
Provide a funding level of $1,000,000 for the Clinton Area Transit System Rural Transit Facility Expansion as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the Clinton Area Transit System located at 215 North Scott Road, St. Johns, Michigan 48879. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because curb-to-door ridership has increased by 30% for community seniors, persons with disabilities, and veterans. The need for additional transportation staff, increasing office space, and providing for increased vehicle maintenance capability is desperately needed. This project would allow for the construction of additional office spaces for the Clinton County public transit system to house additional staff, as well as constructing a new maintenance facility to properly maintain county transit vehicles and protect vehicles during winter months.
Four Lakes Task Force
Provide a funding level of $1,060,000 for the purchase and installation of public safety booms, as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the Four Lakes Task Force located at 233 East Larkin Street, Suite 2, Midland, Michigan, 48640. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will provide much needed public safety awareness on the upstream side of two dams that suffered significant damage in May 2020. The historic rainfall in May 2020 also led to the catastrophic failure of two additional dams that sent roughly six billion cubic feet of water flowing down river forcing ten thousand residents to evacuate and causing millions of dollars in damage and lost economic activity.
IQHub
Provide a funding level of $250,311 for creating the IQhub Community Classroom, as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the IQhub located at 1130 South DeWitt Road, St. Johns, Michigan 48879. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the IQhub, as an educational center for agricultural history, innovation and exploration, and the Community Classroom will be a destination for STEM-based learning and agriscience education for thousands of Michigan students from rural communities as well as the Grand Rapids and Lansing metropolitan areas. The Community Classroom will also enhance community programming and lifetime education for residents in rural mid-Michigan.
City of Midland
Provide a funding level of $750,000 for the City of Midland Storm and Sanitary Sewer Improvement as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the City of Midland located at 333 West Ellsworth Street, Midland, MI 48640. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would respond to the critical infrastructure needs that have arisen due to the historic flooding in 2020, which resulted in the major disaster declaration (DR-4547-MI) being issued, by strengthening the system to be more resilient during flooding and high rain events.
Midland Center for the Arts
Provide a funding level of $500,000 for the Midland Center for the Arts Revitalization Project as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the Midland Center for the Arts. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because in March 2020, the Midland Center for the Arts was closed due to COVID-19 and, two months later, the Center’s five buildings, including its historical archives and collections, sustained several million dollars in damages due to historic flooding and the breach of two local dams that led to a federal major disaster declaration (DR-4547-MI). The Center is working with the City of Midland, Midland County, the Midland Business Alliance, and other local partners to recover and rebuild from the devastating impact of these events, and to bring the city’s economy back to life through increased tourism and regional visitation to Midland. The Center’s estimated impact on the local economy is over $14 million annually, and the revitalization of the facility strengthens the entire city, county, and region.