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Communities may see financial boost

Thursday, February 26, 2009

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Matt Franklin
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MID-MICHIGAN (WJRT) -- (02/25/09)--It could be a big economic boost for Mid-Michigan. Several communities in our area are in line to get nearly $11 million from the government.

Here is the breakdown: $4.4 million will go to projects in Saginaw, Bay and Tuscola counties, and $6.4 million will head to Genesee County and the city of Flint.

This money is not coming from the economic stimulus plan passed recently.

So far it's been approved by the United States House of Representatives in the consolidated appropriations bill that will go to everything from defense research to the upcoming biogas project.

More than $950,000 in federal money could be on the way for Flint's biogas project.

Using Swedish-based technology, a plant set to be built in Flint Township will produce methane gas to generate electricity.

Kettering University is working on the project.

Congressman Dale Kildee is trying to get millions for several infrastructure, education and even medical programs around Mid-Michigan.

More than $600,000 will go toward the Genesee County Drain Commission to upgrade the Kearsley Creek Interceptor.

An additional $238,000 will go to an at-risk program in the Beecher Community School District.

Mott Community College and Kettering would split $2 million for defense research.

Kettering's portion is for its Chemical Warfare Agent Fate Program, which studies how chemicals behave after they are deployed by a weapon.

There is also money budgeted for equipment upgrades for the Flint police and Genesee County Sheriff's Department.

This plan is pending Senate approval.