Local lawmakers announce $5.5 million awarded to Zilwaukee

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

LANSING — The city of Zilwaukee has been approved for $5.5 million from the State Revolving Fund for water quality improvements to help protect public and environmental health, said Sen. Roger Kahn, R-Saginaw Township, and Rep. Jim Stamas, R-Midland.

According to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Zilwaukee plans to use the money for sanitary sewer manhole rehabilitation, house lead replacement and storm sewer improvements. By helping eliminate downstream surcharging and sanitary overflows, the project will protect public and environmental health.

“These projects will greatly improve the city of Zilwaukee’s water quality,” Kahn said. “Instituting these upgrades will help protect the public water supply and environment. I’m happy to see these greatly needed projects receive funding. I commend the city of Zilwaukee for making these improvements.”

Approximately $2.2 million in stimulus funds is being made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The funds will be provided to the city in the form of loan principal forgiveness.

Kahn and Stamas worked closely with the DEQ and Zilwaukee officials earlier this year to ensure the city would be eligible for this current round of SRF funding. Both legislators were pleased to see their efforts be successful.

“This is great news for the city of Zilwaukee because the project will help protect the public as well as the environment,” Stamas said. “This is exactly the type of project that ARRA money is to be used for, and I am glad that we were able to work with the DEQ to make this happen for our region.”