Michigan Department of Transportation awards grants to aid corporate investments

The Michigan Department of Transportation has awarded five economic development grants in August to assist in road funding, plus millions more in finances for corporate investments.

The grants awarded Aug. 6 amount to more than $2.26 million and were taken from the Transportation Economic Development Fund. This fund is designed to assist city, county and state road agencies address immediate highway needs such as infrastructure improvements that will help factory expansions and local economies.

The largest grant for this month amounted to approximately $1.12 million to create 233 new jobs in Port Huron by upgrading roads.

This work is connected to an automotive interiors and trim supplier that has a $13.55 million plan to renovate and purchase a building in one of the area’s industrial parks. This would give the supplier better access to reach Interstate 94, making it easier to deliver shipments using trucks.

Another grant, worth $548,255, will be used to support 40 new jobs in Van Buren County. The funds will be used to upgrade a road to meet all-season standards as well as heightened truck traffic. These will support a $2.4 million expansion using a food processor. The road commission as well as Keeler Township are also donating funds to the project.