State Rep. Greg Markkanen today announced the city of Iron River has been awarded an Affordability and Planning Grant to provide reliable services to residents in the future.

The grant, totaling $101,300 as approved by the state’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), will assess ways for the community to work together to share staff, equipment and best practices to lower costs and assist residents effectively. The focus for the planning grant will be on the feasibility of licensed water operator consolidation, which includes testing, sampling and reporting to EGLE, collaboration on water utility services, emergency response and other areas.

The Michigan Clean Water Plan will invest $500 million to help communities around the state make needed water infrastructural upgrades and provide people with cleaner drinking water. The Iron River grant addresses affordability and planning in areas such as asset management, rate studies and watersheds.

“An important part of a community is infrastructural management and operations, and this grant will help Iron River deliver effective solutions and services for residents,” said Markkanen, of Hancock. “These are key investments in the long-term viability of communities across the U.P. and I will continue to fight for funding for these projects in the Michigan House.”