$1.8 Million of Grant Funding for Rural Infrastructure

$1.8 Million of Grant Funding for Rural Infrastructure

by | Apr 17, 2025 | Agriculture

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2025

Media contact: Lynsey Mukomel, 517-290-1734

Program contact: Tracey Barnes, 517-388-4540

MDARD Awards $1.8 Million of Grant Funding for Rural Infrastructure and Industry

Grants will fund renewable energy, food safety and access to safe drinking water

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) today awarded 21 Rural Development Fund Grants promote the sustainability of land-based industries and support infrastructure that benefits rural communities.

“MDARD is committed to supporting the food, agriculture and forest products industries vital to Michigan’s economy,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “Through programs like the Rural Development Fund, MDARD can support projects that strengthen infrastructure, promote sustainable land-based industries and deliver new jobs to rural communities.”

Today’s Rural Development Fund Grants provide more than $1.8 million to 21 projects:

  • K.I. Sawyer Water Wastewater Department (Gwinn) – $100,000 to ensure the continued safe operation of the aeration building at the K.I. Sawyer Wastewater Treatment Plant, which was built in 1984.
  • Ely Township (Ishpeming) – $100,000 to address drinking water quality issues, build a new wellhouse and implement a new water treatment system.
  • Northern Michigan University (Marquette) – $100,000 to install a rooftop solar project at the university’s WellBeing Center that will provide reliable renewable energy and reduce utility costs for the campus.
  • City of Negaunee (Negaunee) – $100,000 to replace the sewer main on Hungerford Ave and W Prince Street and to address inflow, infiltration and failing sewer by replacing 523 feet of sewer line.
  • Superior Hills Association of Parents and Educators (Marquette) – $100,000 to renovate the Superior Hills playground in alignment with the “You Can in Michigan” campaign, which seeks to position the state as a premier destination for families and professionals.
  • TCA Management, LLC (Caro) – $100,000 to support hiring up to four new employees and to purchase a new FM200C 2G Dual Wash plant that will produce material critically needed by federal, state and local agricultural and residential customers.
  • Pahl Enterprises, LLC (Buckley) – $100,000 to enhance the farm’s country store, pumpkin patch, Santa experience and youth field trips; purchase key components for the commercial kitchen; and improve the structural integrity of the barn.
  • Gypsy Distillery (Petoskey) – $91,744 to install a new bottling line that will increase revenue and create new jobs.
  • Lakeshore Depot L3C (Marquette) – $65,448 to implement and operate a local food distribution project that will improve access to Michigan-sourced fresh produce and staple foods for institutional and retail purchasers as well as consumers located in the central Upper Peninsula.
  • Maurer Meat Processors, LLC (Ubly) – $96,350 to upgrade the shrink-wrap heat tunnel system for packaging and wrapping meat products, thereby reducing the risk of product loss for customers.
  • Partridge Creek Farm (Ishpeming) – $100,000 to expand the Ishpeming Intergenerational Community Farm, which boosts production yields and increases access to and participation in the local food economy.
  • Home Township (Edmore) – $100,000 to aid farmers and the local community by reconstructing Neff Road between Fleck Road and Tamarack Road by sealing Edgar Road between Wyman Road (CR571) and Neff Road.
  • Cassopolis Community Garden (Cassopolis) – $770 to install an irrigation system for the Cassopolis Community Garden, which provides organically and sustainably grown produce for area food pantries.
  • Great Lakes Boat Building School (Cedarville) – $52,500 to create and implement the Marine System Lab Pods training program, purchase a Volvo Penta for instructional purposes and to support Summer Friday Tour Days.
  • Negaunee/Ishpeming Water Authority (Ishpeming) – $100,000 to install a new water well that will provide safe and high-quality drinking water to Negaunee and Ishpeming in a cost-effective manner.
  • Charter Township of Chocolay (Marquette) – $100,000 to fund sewer repair, remediation and improvements to ensure the safe, reliable and efficient operation of a sanitary wastewater system.
  • M&M Children’s Museum (Menominee) – $100,000 to support the construction and renovation of the Children’s Museum, a place for the community and surrounding area to use for learning, socializing and exercise.
  • RADD Foods (Marquette) – $40,380 for a new initiative to develop and introduce dairy-free cheese products tailored for the restaurant and foodservice industry.
  • Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation (Owosso) – $100,000 to move the existing track switch and extend a current dead-end siding across Washington Street parallel to the Great Lakes Central Railroad’s mainline, thereby increasing passenger capacity.
  • Indian Summer Cooperative, Inc. (Ludington) – $100,000 to increase production capacity by installing new applesauce cup packing and palletizing equipment.
  • City of Ishpeming (Ishpeming) – $82,977 to create six camping sites with power access generated by a hard-wired ground mounted solar system.

Authorized by Public Act 411 of 2012, Rural Development Fund Grants promote the sustainability of land-based industries including food and agriculture, forestry, mining, oil and gas production and tourism. They also support workforce training, rural capacity building, business development and infrastructure that benefits rural communities.

Those interested in applying can do so through the MiAgGrants system by logging into a citizen or business account. Eligible entities include those within counties with a population no greater than 70,000 residents or micropolitan statistical areas. Priority is given to projects in Marquette County according to statute. MDARD evaluates grant proposals through a competitive process.

For more information about this grant program or a complete list of eligible counties, visit https://www.michigan.gov/mdardgrants.
Annual spring weight restrictions continue to be lifted

Annual spring weight restrictions continue to be lifted

by | Apr 17, 2025 | Transportation

newsroom
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2025 		 MEDIA CONTACT
Dan Weingarten
906-250-4809
[email protected]

Annual spring weight restrictions
continue to be lifted on Michigan’s state roads

LANSING, Mich. ­- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) continues to adjust spring weight restriction on state roads (I, M and US routes) in an annual move to protect roads.

Effective 6 a.m. Thursday, April 17, weight restrictions will be lifted on all state trunkline highways from the southern Michigan border north to and including the Mackinac Bridge.  Frost restrictions are still in effect for the remainder of the state and will be imposed and enforced on all state trunkline highways north of the Mackinac Bridge and in accordance with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Directive 2025-4.

In the restricted areas, the following will apply:

  • On routes designated as “all-season” (designated in green and gold on the MDOT Truck Operators Map), there will be no reduction in legal axle weights.
  • All extended permits will be valid for oversize loads in the weight-restricted area on the restricted routes. Single-trip permits will not be issued for any overweight loads or loads exceeding 14 feet in width, 11 axles, and 150 feet in overall length on the restricted routes.
  • On routes designated as “seasonal” (designated in solid or dashed red on the MDOT Truck Operators Map), there will be a posted weight reduction of 25 percent for rigid (concrete) pavements and 35 percent for flexible (asphalt) pavements, and maximum speed of 35 mph for some vehicles.

Drivers must follow the speed limits for weight restricted roads, per state law. Go online for speed restrictions for trucks and the rules for propane fuel delivery and public utility vehicles.

When roads that have been frozen all winter begin to thaw from the surface downward, melting snow and ice saturate the softened ground. During the spring thaw, the roadbed softened by trapped moisture beneath the pavement makes it more susceptible to damage. This contributes to pothole problems already occurring due to this winter’s numerous freeze-thaw cycles.

MDOT determines when weight restrictions begin each spring by measuring frost depths along state highways, observing road conditions and monitoring weather forecasts. Weight restrictions remain in effect until the frost line is deep enough to allow moisture to escape and the roadbeds regain stability.

County road commissions and city public works departments put in place their own seasonal weight restrictions, which usually but not always coincide with state highway weight restrictions. Signs are generally posted to indicate which routes have weight restrictions in effect.

For weight restriction information and updates, call 800-787-8960, or you can access this information on MDOT’s website at www.Michigan.gov/Truckers, under “Restrictions.” All-season routes are designated in green and gold on the MDOT Truck Operators Map, which is available online. You also may sign up to receive email alerts.

Trucking companies located in New Jersey and Canada can obtain information by calling 517-373-6256. 

Secretary of State: REAL ID deadline approaches

Secretary of State: REAL ID deadline approaches

by | Apr 16, 2025 | Regional News

Secretary Benson banner

As REAL ID deadline approaches, Michigan Secretary of State offices still providing fast and efficient service

New check-in and booking stations, friendly greeters further streamline customer experience

LANSING, Mich. – With the May 7 federal REAL ID deadline fast approaching that will require compliant identification to fly in the U.S., Michigan Secretary of State offices offer a fast and easy ways for customers to upgrade their driver’s license or ID. Despite the heavier volume throughout the state, most customers are still in and out of the office in 20 minutes or less.

 

More than 74% of people with a Michigan driver’s license or ID have already upgraded to a REAL ID. Since March 18, Secretary of State offices have added more than 35,000 extra appointments to accommodate the demand for REAL ID and are operating more than 10% over normal capacity. Michigan’s REAL ID conversion rate for the week of April 7 was a record-breaking 82.8%. The REAL ID conversion rate for the same week in 2024 was just 19%.

 

“It’s great to see so Michiganders making sure they get their REAL ID before the May 7 deadline,” Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said. “While Michigan is already well above the national average for REAL ID compliance, the recent uptick in appointments is proof that residents are taking the necessary steps to avoid potential travel delays in the future. I especially want to thank the hardworking staff at the 131 Secretary of State offices throughout Michigan who are truly going above and beyond to meet the increased demand without sacrificing the quality or speed of our service. I am grateful for their dedication and commitment to serve the people of our great state.”

 

Michigan driver’s licenses and IDs are REAL ID compliant if they are marked by a star in the upper right corner – either a star within a gold shape of Michigan or a star in a gold circle, depending on the license design. Michigan also offers enhanced driver’s licenses and IDs, which are REAL ID-compliant and can be used to cross the border into the United States from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean by land or sea. Enhanced driver’s licenses and IDs have a U.S. flag icon on the front.

 

Upgrading a standard license or ID to a REAL ID is free if done during the normal renewal period. Otherwise, a card correction fee of $9 for a driver’s license or $10 for an ID is charged.

 

When applying for a REAL ID, you will need to bring:

 

  • Your driver’s license or ID.

 

  • Your certified birth certificate with a raised seal or stamp issued by a governmental agency; your valid, unexpired U.S. passport; or an approved citizenship or legal presence document. (Faxes and photocopies won’t be accepted.)

 

  • If your name is different from the name on your birth certificate, bring certified documents, such as marriage licenses or court orders, for every time your name has changed.

 

Learn more at Michigan.gov/REALID.

 

Customers who book appointments to update their driver’s license or state ID will find several tools and processes that help ensure they will have a smooth and successful visit. Friendly staff greeters meet visitors right at the door of 51 of the state’s offices. Greeters help every customer quickly check in for their appointment or book an upcoming appointment so they can complete their transaction without unnecessary delay.

 

As part of a pilot project that started in January, customers in five Secretary of State offices can immediately check in for their appointment or book an appointment using new computerized stations.

 

The stations, which are oversized computer tablets on a stand near where customers enter an office, provide efficiency in offices that don’t have a full-time staff greeter at the door. Based on the successful pilot, the stations are scheduled to be installed over the next 18 months at the remaining 75 offices that don’t have staff greeters.

 

The first appointment check-in and booking station was installed Jan. 22 at the St. Johns office. Throughout February and March, the stations were added to the Adrian, Alma, Kalamazoo, and St. Ignace offices. The 22-inch tablets are similar to those used by the public in settings ranging from airports to retailers.

 

“These stations, an idea from our frontline branch office managers, are another way we are continuing to provide the most convenient and efficient service to Michiganders,” said Jennifer Mazzola, director of the Bureau of Branch Operations at the Michigan Department of State (MDOS). “At offices with smaller staffs, clerks no longer have to try to do two things at once – serve the customer at the counter in front of them and check in or book customers arriving at the office.”

 

The idea for the stations came from branch office managers in meetings with the MDOS Office of Continuous Improvement and Transformation. In recent months, various MDOS teams and vendors worked to develop the stations with feedback from frontline staff. Customer observations and feedback during the pilot over the past three months helped to further customize the stations to meet customer needs.

 

Customers can make appointments up to six months in advance for any Secretary of State office by visiting Michigan.gov/SOS or calling 888-767-6424. The online system or call center agent will walk them through everything they need to bring for their transaction, helping them avoid having to make a return visit. If a customer arrives without having scheduled ahead, they can use one of the check-in and booking stations or work with a staff member to book the next available time slot, which may be later in the day or the next business day.

 

# # #

MDOS Check-in and Booking StationThe St. Johns branch office is one of the five offices that received the check-in and booking station as a part of the pilot program.  

 

MDOS Check-in and Booking StationA customer uses the check-in and booking station to schedule an appointment at the St. Johns branch office. 

 

MDOS Check-in and Booking StationTerrence Nichols, a Kalamazoo resident, checks into his appointment at his local branch office using the newly installed station. 
Warning About Toll Scam Targeting West Michigan

Warning About Toll Scam Targeting West Michigan

by | Apr 16, 2025 | Transportation
Michigan Department of Attorney General Press Release banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 16, 2025

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

AG Nessel, MDOT Director Wieferich Warn Consumers About Toll Scam Targeting West Michigan

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich are urging consumers to remain vigilant in light of increased reports of a toll scam circulating in West Michigan. The scam involves fraudulent text messages claiming the recipient owes unpaid tolls to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). These messages falsely state that it is a final reminder and threaten legal action if immediate payment is not made. The texts also include a deceptive link designed to resemble the official MDOT website.

There are currently no toll roads in Michigan. However, MDOT collects tolls at three transportation facilities:

  • Blue Water Bridge
  • International Bridge
  • Mackinac Bridge

Legitimate toll bills for these facilities are sent by mail and are never issued via text message.

“While this toll scam isn’t new, it is becoming more prevalent, particularly in West Michigan,” Nessel said. “Before entering your credit card information in response to any kind of text message, take a moment to look closely. If the link does not include an official web domain, phone number, or email address, ignore the message.”

“MDOT officials want to remind all drivers, our department does not operate toll roads,” Wieferich said. “Some bridge locations collect tolls but not using license plate readers. You will never receive a bill from MDOT via text message.”

These text messages about tolls are just one example of how fraudsters send out short messages to fish for victims to take the bait on a variety of schemes. Consumers may have received a smishing text if it:

  • Is unsolicited.
  • Is sent from an unusually long phone number (10 or more digits).
  • Includes a link that is likely shortened or scrambled.
  • Is written with a sense of urgency.
  • Contains grammatical and spelling errors.
  • Promises a reward or prize if you respond or click a link.
  • Requests personal or financial information.

Consumers should not reply to suspicious texts or click on links or attachments. Instead, they should use built-in spam-blocking tools on their mobile devices. Consumers can report smishing texts by forwarding them to SPAM (7726) and by sending the texts to the Federal Trade Commission.

Attorney General Nessel is also reissuing her government imposters scam consumer alert, reminding consumers that government agencies:

  • Will not request personal information through email, over the phone, or text.
  • Will never demand money through email, over the phone, or text. They will mail you a notice and offer payment options.
  • Do not ask for or take payment by prepaid gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or a payment app.

To file a complaint with the Attorney General, or get additional information, contact:

Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form
Save the dates for upcoming NotMISpecies webinars

Save the dates for upcoming NotMISpecies webinars

by | Apr 16, 2025 | Environmental

 
Michigan Invasive Species Program banner

News Release
April 16, 2025
Contact: Joanne Foreman, 517-284-5814

Lurking invasives, a big dig and a little irony: Save the dates for these upcoming NotMISpecies webinars

Plans for the April 30 NotMISpecies webinar on tree health and climate change have hit a snag – actually, thousands of snags. The session’s presenters are among the many Michigan Department of Natural Resources staff members working to clear tree debris and assess forest damage following the devastating, unseasonal ice storm in northern Michigan. The session has been rescheduled for Aug. 27. All registrations for April have been transferred to the new date.

The monthly, hourlong webinar series will be back on track in May, providing information on invasive species programs, current research and emerging issues in the state and the Great Lakes region. Question and answer sessions and links to resources help attendees get the most out of each presentation.

Aquatic detectives

A woman bends over the side of a pontoon boat to hold a rake head full of aquatic plants pulled from the water.Often, invasive aquatic plants exist unseen, lurking and spreading below the waterline until they’ve grown into a major problem. Fortunately, a trained eye can find these invaders before they wreak havoc. That’s where the MiCorps Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program’s Exotic Aquatic Plant Watch comes in! Join Erick Elgin and Jo Latimore from Michigan State University Extension for “What Lies Beneath: Detecting Invasive Plants in Michigan Lakes” (9 a.m. Wednesday, May 28). The duo will reveal the training and tools available to help volunteers detect and track these underwater invaders. Hear firsthand from dedicated volunteers who have made surprising discoveries in the lakes they cherish. Whether you’re a seasoned lake steward or just getting started, this webinar will inspire you to take a closer look beneath the surface!

Can you dig it?

Hydrilla is known as one of the most difficult aquatic invasive plants to control. When it was found for the first time in Michigan in September 2023, the Michigan Invasive Species Program chose to take decisive action to eradicate it. Join project lead Billy Keiper of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s Water Resources Division for “Digging in: Michigan’s Unconventional Response to Hydrilla” (9 a.m. Wednesday, June 25). Keiper will walk through the response effort from detection to the recent excavation of two private ponds. Learn about the why and how behind this extraordinary effort and the deliberation, planning and cooperation that made it possible.

Hitting the spot

An adult spotted lanternfly rests on the trunk of a tree of heaven.Invasive spotted lanternfly, first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014, is now present in at least 18 eastern U.S. states. In Michigan, localized spotted lanternfly infestations in four southeastern counties are expected to build and spread, especially in areas where invasive tree of heaven, the insect’s preferred host, occurs. In “Spotting the Spotted Lanternfly: What to Know and What You Can Do” (9 a.m. Tuesday, July 29), Deborah McCullough, professor of forest entomology at Michigan State University, will cover spotted lanternfly’s life stages, tree of heaven identification and spotted lanternfly’s impacts on trees and people. Options for managing spotted lanternfly, if or when it arrives in your neighborhood, will be included.

Trees at risk

(Rescheduled from April 30)

Invasive insects and diseases, including hemlock woolly adelgid, beech bark disease and beech leaf disease, are taking a toll on Michigan’s forests. As if this weren’t enough, the changing climate is further stressing trees and may lead to greater impacts by both invasive and native insects and diseases. Join forest entomologist Erin Biggs and forest pathologist Simeon Wright of the DNR for “They’ll Need that Hug: How Climate Change is Increasing Native and Invasive Threats to Michigan’s Trees” (9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27). The duo will explain emerging issues, how they are being addressed, and which may have the biggest effect on Michigan’s forests and urban landscapes.

Recorded versions of all previous webinars are available on the NotMISpecies webpage.

Michigan’s Invasive Species Program, a collaborative effort of the departments of Natural Resources; Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; and Agriculture and Rural Development, coordinates and supports invasive species initiatives across the state and provides support through the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program.

Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

Rake toss: Michigan State University Extension’s Jo Latimore brings in a rake full of aquatic plants for analysis.

Spotted lanternfly: An adult invasive spotted lanternfly rests on the trunk of an invasive tree of heaven, its favorite host plant.
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