State treasurer announces grants for distressed municipalities

Michigan Treasurer Rachael Eubanks last Friday announced a total of $2.7 million is being awarded to 11 municipalities through the Financially Distressed Cities, Villages and Townships (FDCVT) Grant Program. Municipalities can participate in the FDCVT Grant Program if they are experiencing one or more conditions indicative of "probable financial stress" as defined in Public Act 436 of 2012, the Local Financial Stability and Choice Act. The grants fund specific projects, services or strategies-including infrastructure and public safety enhancements-that move a city, village or township toward financial stability. "I am pleased to announce this year's awards," Eubanks said. "These grant dollars help fund public safety and infrastructure projects in communities that are encountering financial hardship." For fiscal year 2019, $2.5 million was appropriated for the program with a $200,000 carryover from the previous fiscal year. The FDCVT Grant Program has a $2 million cap per municipality and grants are awarded based on applications submitted by the municipality. The following communities will receive funding this year, with projects and amounts noted (alphabetical order): -City of Ecorse Public safety enhancement through repair of the municipal building HVAC system, $200,000 -City of Hamtramck Public safety enhancement through replacement of police department radio system, $293,909 -City of Harper Woods Water system enhancement through replacement of water meters, $200,000 -City of Highland Park Public safety enhancement through installation of surveillance cameras throughout Highland Park and Ecorse, $134,030 -City of Highland Park Public safety enhancement through replacement of a police vehicle, $42,000 -City of Inkster Public safety enhancement through improved street lighting, $142,975 -City of Inkster Public safety enhancement through partial fleet replacement of police vehicles, $100,000 -City of Inkster Public safety enhancement through replacement of an ambulance, $260,000 -City of Lincoln Park Public safety enhancement through the design phase for a new facility housing the Lincoln Park Police Department and the 25th District Court, serving Ecorse, River Rouge and Lincoln Park, $342,500 -Village of Mayville Water system enhancement through replacement of water meters, $125,000 -City of Melvindale Public safety enhancement through replacement of police equipment, including Tasers, in-car cameras, and body cameras, $49,733 -City of Pontiac Public safety enhancement through repair of sidewalks and installation of ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps, $200,000 -City of Pontiac Public safety enhancement through improved street lighting, $163,020 -City of River Rouge Public safety enhancement through replacement of equipment for firefighters, $271,335 -City of River Rouge Public safety enhancement through replacement of police vehicles, $97,246 -City of Wayne Public safety enhancement through infrastructure repair of the police department, $100,000 Published: Mon, Mar 25, 2019