Moolenaar, Kildee Announce Nearly $2 Million for the Midland Center for the Arts

Congressmen John Moolenaar (MI-02) and Dan Kildee (MI-08) today announced $1,926,227 in new federal funding from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help the Midland Center for the Arts repair severe flood damage caused by the failure of the Edenville and Sanford Dams.

Today’s grant announcement is a result of Congressmen Moolenaar and Kildee’s sustained efforts to deliver disaster relief funding to the Center. Following the May 2020 dam failures, Moolenaar and Kildee secured a Major Disaster Declaration for Midland and Saginaw Counties, allowing the Midland Center for the Arts to apply for FEMA’s Public Assistance program. Since then, Moolenaar and Kildee have engaged directly with FEMA to ensure the Center received federal assistance.

“I am delighted to announce FEMA will be providing nearly $2 million in grant funding to the Midland Center for the Arts. The Center is a staple of the community, showcasing the works of talented artists and hosting events. Following the devastating floods in 2020 we have been working to support the Midland community’s recovery, and mitigation efforts to help it get back on its feet,” said Moolenaar. “I will continue to advocate for Midland as it continues to recover.”

“After many years of work, I’m thrilled to announce we’ve secured millions in federal funding to help restore one of Midland’s great cultural institutions. The Midland Center for the Arts will use this funding to continue to educate our children and enrich our community,” said Congressman Kildee. “In Congress, I will keep fighting to support flood recovery and mitigation efforts in Midland.”

“We are very happy to receive our first FEMA funds for part of the flood damage from 2020.  With the extensive damage to the electrical system at the Center, this much-needed funding will allow us to repair that damage while we also construct the new museum space in the Center. We are so grateful for Congressmen Kildee and Moolenaar’s help in getting us to this point,” said Jon Loos, Midland Center for the Arts Chief Operating Officer.

Congressmen Moolenaar and Kildee continue to advocate for mid-Michigan families impacted by the May 2020 flooding, including helping to secure nearly $1.6 million for Sanford and more than $25 million in federal funds for the repair and reconstruction of federal highways, roads and bridges that were damaged by the dam failures.

In May 2020, severe weather in mid-Michigan contributed to the failures of two dams, causing devastating flooding along the Tittabawassee River in Gladwin, Midland, and Saginaw counties. Both the Edenville Dam, located on Wixom Lake, and the Sanford Dam, were breached and flooded nearby areas, destroying homes, businesses, roads and infrastructure. In total, the flooding damaged over 3,700 properties and the estimated loss was over $190 million. More than 2,300 homes were directly affected, causing structural damage, electrical damage, furnace and water heater damage and extensive mold.