Budget secures at least $43 million in funding increases for Northeast Michigan

State Rep. Cam Cavitt today announced that he was able to lock in more than $43 million in funding increases through the state budget process, which wrapped up this week. The funding increases affect every corner of Northeast Michigan, including education, roads, broadband expansion, water infrastructure, and more.

“Northeast Michigan has been given the cold shoulder by the rest of the state for far too long; most especially when it comes to deciding where to spend state dollars,” said Cavitt, R-Cheboygan. “That’s why I was honored to sit on the budget committee responsible for making these decisions so I could ensure our community did not receive the short stick like we have for generations.”

Schools in Northeast Michigan will receive a combined funding increase of more than $5,800,000. These new funding levels come from an increase to per-student funding, which was raised by more than $440 to $10,050.

The budget also included nearly $2 billion for state and local road repairs and maintenance. Through that funding, every Northeast Michigan community will receive an increase in road funding by more than 33%, more than $13 million over last year.

“Communities throughout Michigan are seeing a boost to education and road funding, but I made sure Northeast Michigan got its fair share,” Cavitt said. “These dollars will support our schools and will finally pave the way for key infrastructure improvements we’ve needed for years.”

Cavitt also secured several budget wins that are specific to Northeast Michigan, including:

• Nearly $2.2 million in state broadband expansion dollars, which would qualify Michigan for federal dollars, totaling nearly $17 million, for broadband expansion in Alcona, Oscoda, and Montmorency Counties.
• $5.3 million for the Maritime and Port Fund, which will be used to repair aging ports like Alpena
• A requirement that the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy develop and distribute permitting guidebooks to help residents cut through red tape when applying for permits.

“Broadband expansion has been a top priority for me. Northeast Michigan has consistently lagged behind when it comes to connectivity,” Cavitt said. “These funds will help ensure things like remote work, telehealth, and online banking are easily accessible in our communities. Focusing on broadband expansion and other initiatives that would have an outsized influence on Northeast Michigan was another key win during the budget process. Securing dollars to improve our aging ports and finally getting EGLE to be helpful during the permitting process will pay dividends for residents and businesses alike in our communities.”

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