Kildee Secures $4,234,968 in Federal Funding for Saginaw, Bay Counties

Washington, D.C.  - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives has given final approval to the Consolidated Appropriations bill which provides funding for almost all federal domestic programs for fiscal year 2008.  The U.S. Senate is expected to approve the legislation later this week, before the President signs it into law.  Listed below are the projects for Saginaw and Bay Counties which received funding at the request of Congressman Kildee.

“I am very pleased that Congress has approved my requests for these important infrastructure projects for the Fifth Congressional District,” said Kildee.  “These federal funds will move our communities forward, and improve the quality of life for our citizens.”

Saginaw River Dredging: $2,806,368 in federal aid for dredging of the Saginaw River between Bay City and the City of Saginaw.  The waterway is an essential lifeline for regional commerce.  President Bush had requested only $2.1 million for Saginaw River dredging.

Saginaw Riverfront Development Site: $656,600 in funding for the City of Saginaw will aid in the effort to remove vacant and dilapidated buildings that pose a public health hazard and are magnets for criminal activity.  

Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Services (STARS): $490,000 in federal aid to improve facilities and install automated fare boxes. Funding will be used to renovate and expand the Rosa Parks Operations Center.  Upgraded facilities will include a new training center, a new information technology center, and improvements to the garage.  In addition, automated fare boxes will be placed in STARS busses. 

Saginaw Police Department: $282,000 in federal aid to help purchase gunfire detection technology.  The technology would utilize networked sensors installed on buildings and telephone poles to detect and locate gunfire.  Sensors will be installed in an area that covers four square miles and can differentiate between fireworks, backfiring cars and other noises that could be mistaken for gunfire.  Gunfire detection has the potential to help decrease police response time, locate forensic evidence and warn police officers of the presence of firearms in the vicinity.