Rep. Greg VanWoerkom tonight led legislative approval of a major infrastructure investment to help spur economic development and job creation in Ottawa and Muskegon counties.

VanWoerkom led House Appropriations Committee approval of a proposal to transfer $60 million from the state’s SOAR Fund to assist a wastewater treatment project in West Michigan. The investment will help build a pipeline allowing Coopersville to redirect wastewater north to the underutilized Muskegon County wastewater treatment plant – allowing several area businesses to expand and create jobs in the agricultural sector.

“This has been a top priority for West Michigan for a decade, but we have never been able to find the resources to do it. Now we have an opportunity to make these critical infrastructure improvements and make West Michigan a center for agribusiness,” said VanWoerkom, of Norton Shores. “This is a strategic investment in the future of our region and the entire state of Michigan. This is a key component to attracting the type of jobs we need to ensure our region remains competitive and moves forward.”

The transfer from the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve fund requires approval from both the Senate and House appropriations committees. Both panels have approved the transfer.

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