Rep. Annette Glenn, R-Midland, today helped the Michigan House Appropriations Committee approve a historic infrastructure plan that will improve dam safety in the Midland area and across the state.

The $4.8 billion overall infrastructure and COVID-19 relief plan includes major investments designed to prevent the type of flooding disaster that devastated the Midland community in 2020. The measure advancing in the Legislature includes more than $250 million to address risks in aging dams statewide, with more than $200 million specifically for the dams that failed in the Midland/Gladwin area. In addition, the Midland/Gladwin area is poised to receive more than $50 million through a disaster recovery block grant included in the proposal – raising the overall investment in the area above $250 million.

The full House of Representatives is expected to vote on the proposal soon. The investments will be the latest secured by Glenn, who has already helped provide millions of dollars for dam safety across the state over the past two years.

“The strength and resilience of the Midland and Sanford communities are a daily inspiration,” said Glenn, who chairs a budget committee overseeing the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. “It strengthens my resolve to do everything possible to prevent this type of tragedy from occurring ever again anywhere in Michigan. With the resources the Legislature is approving this week, we are taking a historic step to protect people and property across our great state.”

The May 2020 floods caused more than 10,000 evacuations and an estimated $200 million in damages. Glenn was put in charge of the EGLE budget subcommittee in January 2021 and has been working to secure more dam safety resources ever since.

Dam safety is just one component of the infrastructure and COVID relief bills moving through the Legislature. Senate Bill 565 and House Bill 5525 include more than $4.2 billion in federal resources and nearly $600 million in state resources.

Highlights include:

Safe, clean drinking water: A nearly $2 billion investment will help provide safe drinking water and “clean water” grants in Michigan communities – combatting PFAS, replacing lead pipes in Benton Harbor and other communities, establishing “healthy hydration” centers in schools, and improving sewer systems.

Road and bridge repairs: More than $380 million will assist state and local projects across the state. Additional resources will support airports and other transportation projects.

Technology: A $250 million investment will boost access to the broadband internet needed for work, school and everyday life.

Community support and development: Local communities across Michigan would receive $322 million in COVID relief and $46 million to protect against falling revenue that impacts critical local services. More support would be provided for  housing, along with mortgage and rent assistance.

The new plan also beefs up resources to fight fraud and improve customer service at the state’s Unemployment Insurance Agency without asking businesses to pay more into the system.

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