Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
BESSEMER CITY COUNCIL approved at its meeting Monday to take the next step in acquiring more than $615,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding from the state. The city plans to use the money for infrastructure repairs on some of its most problematic streets: Longyear, Colby and Sophie.
BESSEMER - The city of Bessemer is moving forward with the process of securing state-provided grants of more than $615,000 to help with repairs to damaged infrastructure from last winter's Deep Freeze.
The city will need to contribute a local match of more than $108,000 to receive the Community Development Block Grant funding.
City Manager Mike Uskiewicz said the city has already expended more than $73,000 on needed repairs that will count as a portion of the match.
The city plans to use the money for repairs to Longyear Street, between Moore and Sophie streets; Colby Street, from Moore Street east to city hall; and a portion of Sophie Street near city hall.
Gov. Rick Snyder announced last week $7.5 million will be distributed to 32 Michigan communities, including Bessemer, the cities of Ironwood ($531,299) and Wakefield ($56,744), and Bessemer Township ($494,376).
However, the grants are not officially approved yet. Communities must notify state officials by 5 p.m. today whether they accept the money, then several other steps must be completed, including an environmental review of the proposed project.
The CDBG funds are coming from the Michigan Strategic Fund, which is administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
In July, the MEDC made $6 million in funds available to communities suffering from Deep Freeze damages after the state found out it did not reach a federal threshold for a presidential emergency declaration.
Communities must submit the second part of the application and supporting documentation to state officials by 5 p.m. Sept. 30.
Uskiewicz said the city is also pursuing Section 19 funding, additional money provided by the state, to assist with repairs.
Informational meetings regarding the funding are scheduled for community leaders and state officials on Sept. 22 in St. Ignace, and Sept. 23 in Marquette Township.
"I will be attending on behalf of Bessemer to put together the necessary data on that," Uskiewicz told council members.
Section 19 provides communities up to $100,000 or 10 percent of their previous year's budget, whichever is less, in financial aid through the state's Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund.
