LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Strategic Fund Board on Wednesday approved a $60 million Strategic Site Readiness Program performance-based grant for the Southeast Regional Force Main project in Muskegon County.
The project will benefit the city of Coopersville, Polkton Township, Ravenna Township and the village of Ravenna, providing wastewater transport and disposal services for agriculture businesses in the region to provide increased wastewater removal capacity.
“For years, the lack of a modern wastewater pipeline has hampered agricultural businesses throughout Muskegon County from meeting their full potential and, perhaps worse, the situation has been a significant barrier to growth,” said Sen. Jon Bumstead, R-North Muskegon, who has been a vocal supporter of the project. “I am grateful the Michigan Strategic Fund has approved this plan and is offering $60 million in grants to help accomplish the goal.”
Bumstead also played an instrumental role in ensuring that adequate funding for this project was included in the recent appropriations supplemental, Senate Bill 844. The bill, among other appropriations, allocated funding toward the Michigan Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve Fund.
Bumstead said that, currently, the wastewater problem is such that farms will become unable to meet environmental safety standards set by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, which may cause them to go out of business.
According to the MSF, companies including fairlife, Continental Dairy, DeVries Meats, Applegate Dairy and Swanson Pickle, collectively plan to invest at least $187 million and create 145 jobs upon completion of the project.
“This pipeline project will help provide a lasting future for agriculture in our region as well as continued success for businesses and workers alike,” Bumstead said.
For more information, visit the MSF website.
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