Kildee Secures $4.4 Million in Federal Funding for Saginaw, Bay and Tuscola Counties in Fiscal Year 2009

Washington, D.C.  - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) today announced that the U.S. House of Representatives has approved the Consolidated Appropriations bill which provides funding for nearly all federal domestic programs for fiscal year 2009. The measure provides for $4,427,500 requested by Kildee for Saginaw, Bay and Tuscola county projects. U.S. Senate action on the measure is pending. 

“I am very pleased that Congress has approved my requests for these important projects that will move our communities forward, and improve the quality of life for our citizens,” said Kildee. “The funds provided for the Saginaw River dredging project will help in preserving the integrity of our shipping lanes. The Saginaw River is an essential transportation lifeline in our state, connecting local business and industry to the Great Lakes and beyond.”

Listed below are the projects in Saginaw, Bay and Tuscola counties that received funding at the request of Congressman Kildee:

Saginaw River Dredging and Project Condition Surveys: $3,525,000 to maintain the Saginaw River Channel, which is a federally authorized commercial navigation project. Maintenance dredging is required for navigation to continue at maximum efficiency on the river.

Bay Regional Medical Center – Breast Care Center facilities and equipment: $190,000 to consolidate breast care facilities into a Breast Care Center. Currently, the Bay Regional Medical Center’s breast care capabilities are spread across the community and require patients to travel to various locations for comprehensive cancer services. 

Buena Vista Township – Town Center Infrastructure and Streetscape: $237,500 for road infrastructure, sidewalks and streetscapes for the Town Center. Buena Vista Township will develop a 36 acre parcel of land into a new mixed-use development called the Town Center. The Town Center would include retail, commercial, housing and public recreation space. The redevelopment site is the heart of Buena Vista Township and is one mile from the I-75/M-46 interchange.

Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Service (STARS) – Bus and Transit Improvements: $190,000 in federal aid to replace an aging vehicle fleet and improve existing facilities. Funding will be used also to renovate and expand the Rosa Parks Operations Center. Upgraded facilities will include improvements to the garage, and automated fare boxes will be installed in STARS busses. 

Caro Transit Authority – Bus Replacement: $285,000 would be used to replace four buses, which have reached the end of their service life. The Caro Transit Authority serves all of Tuscola County, Michigan.