Projects requested by Rep. Levin et al. will assist business development, promote recreation, assist law enforcement, and upgrade Air National Guard base

The House of Representatives passed the Consolidated Appropriations bill today by a vote of 221 to 202.  The measure, which combines 6 of the 12 annual funding bills, includes several projects requested by Congressman Sander Levin, along with other members of the Michigan delegation, that directly benefit Macomb County.

“These projects will translate directly into Macomb County community improvements in business, recreation, and safety.” said Rep. Levin.  “These are tough times for Michigan families and local communities and these targeted funds will help boost important local projects.”

Macomb-Oakland University INCubator ($100,000).  Since officially opening its doors in July 2009, the INCubator has provided business development assistance to local companies across the defense, alternative energy and advanced manufacturing targeted sectors.  These clients include both early stage companies and mature companies interested in pursuing diversification projects. 

Rep. Levin has assisted in the development of the INCubator for the past several years, having helped secure $667,000 in previous federal appropriations funding to get the project started.  Additionally, the INCubator is supported by a $250,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, a $30,000 annual commitment from the City of Sterling Heights, $50,000 in in-kind support from Oakland University, and more than $55,000 in private support from local businesses.  The additional funding was requested by Reps Levin and Miller and will be used to fund operations.

Macomb County Bike Trail (Rep. Levin $575,000; Rep. Candice Miller $250,000; Senators Levin and Stabenow $1.94 million).  Funding will replace a deteriorated sidewalk with pedestrian and bike trails on the east side of North-bound Gratiot Avenue, from Shady Side Drive to Cass Avenue.  The trail will allow more neighborhoods in Mount Clemens pedestrian access to the downtown area for shopping, as well as to both Shady Side Park and the region-wide Metropolitan Parkway Bike Trail for exercising and day vacation trips.  While funding for these particular improvements was requested by Rep. Levin, the Consolidated Appropriations bill also included $1.94 million in funding requested by Senators Levin and Stabenow, as well as $250,000 requested by Rep. Candice Miller, for the Macomb County region-wide loop.

Centralized Dispatch for Macomb County Emergency Management & Communications ($500,000).  Funding will be used to purchase, upgrade, and install communications equipment to help consolidate duplicate dispatch services for 3 EMS agencies, 24 fire agencies, and 18 police departments throughout Macomb County.  The funding was requested by Rep. Levin, Senator Levin, and Senator Stabenow.

Renovation and Repair at Selfridge Air National Guard Base ($6.2 million).  The funding will be used to renovate and repair Building 34 at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Building 34 was originally constructed in 1988, and currently houses the 127th Wing's A-10 Squadron Operations and a portion of the Survival Equipment function. Existing interior areas are not properly configured. Existing electrical, mechanical, roofing, and support systems are quickly approaching their useful life expectancy and are insufficient to accommodate the needed facility expansion. Current facility accommodations, and the significant resulting space deficiencies and geographic sprawl, negatively impact the daily mission accomplishment of these critical A-10 Operations and Maintenance functions.  The funding was requested by Reps. Levin and Miller, as well as Senators Levin and Stabenow.

*Note: There were additional Macomb County projects authored by Representative Miller, Senator Levin, and Senator Stabenow included in the legislation.

Representative Levin posts all project requests, commonly known as “earmarks,” on his website for public scrutiny as soon as they are submitted.  After submission, the Appropriations Committee goes through a thorough review process and publishes lists of all accepted projects.  The appropriations bills are then brought to the Floor of the House where they can be amended and voted on.  

The legislation passed today included the funding bills for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services, the State Department, the Department of Justice, and the Treasury Department.  The House of Representatives approved all of these bills over the summer as stand-alone measures, but the Senate has been tied up debating health care reform and was unable to complete action on all of the appropriations bills for fiscal year 2010, which began on October 1st.  Three months into the fiscal year, the leaders of the House and Senate elected to combine six funding bills into one package in order to speed final action on these measures.

The programs covered by these funding bills include the Social Security Administration, NASA, education program, low-income energy assistance, local law enforcement, the National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control, elementary and secondary education, military construction, and veterans housing, among many others.