Michigan – On Thursday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer revealed that 17 small communities within the state, each with a population below 10,000 people, are set to receive grants for road improvements. The total sum of these grants is $3.1 million, and they come from the Community Service Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) Category B program.
“These grants will help communities across Michigan fix local roads faster to save drivers time and money,” said Governor Whitmer. “Since I took office, Michigan has fixed 20,000 lane miles of road and 1,400 bridges while supporting over 100,000 jobs, and today’s funding will add to that total. Let’s keep working together to fix the damn roads so people can go to work, drop their kids off at school, and run errands without blowing a tire or cracking an axle. Let’s get this done to make a real difference in people’s lives.”
The state Legislature initiated the CSIF back in 2018 to address the urgent infrastructure needs of smaller towns with insufficient funding options for road upgrades. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) oversees this fund. The funded projects are strategically chosen for their coordination with broader infrastructure efforts and their focus on roads needing life extension.
Grants awarded through this initiative vary between $97,000 and $250,000. They cater to essential roadwork such as resurfacing roads, replacing aged culverts, sealing pavement cracks, alongside other preservation activities. Further information about the grants approved for 2024 and insights into the CSIF Category B program may be obtained online.
“I am pleased to see these grants being allocated to communities in Eaton and Ingham County to help fix local roads, a critical need in Mid-Michigan,” said state Senator Sarah Anthony D-Lansing). “Enhancing state infrastructure not only promotes public safety but also plays a vital role in creating strong neighborhoods and stimulating economic development across our state. This could not have been done without the collective efforts of Gov. Whitmer and my colleagues in the Legislature, and I look forward to paving the way for more crucial investments in infrastructure in the upcoming budget cycle.”
“From Stevensville to South Haven, the Lakeshore is benefitting greatly from this critical road funding, and I’m grateful to Gov. Whitmer and MDOT for recognizing the needs of our small-town roads,” said state Representative Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph). “Especially for towns that rely on tourism to sustain their economy, having local roads in good condition is important to attract visitors, while permanent residents also benefit. This is a win-win for our communities.”
“It’s essential that we make infrastructure investments in our communities and spare Michigan drivers the persistent headache and expenses our mangled roads cause. We’ve endured potholes and crumbling streets long enough. These grants will help tackle our local road infrastructure problems, directly addressing the roads we drive every day to work and school. Michigan’s roads must be safer and more reliable — these grants are thankfully driving us in that direction,” said state Representative Angela Witwer (Delta Township).
“These grant awards show the governor’s commitment to fixing not just the interstate highways but also the local roads that my constituents use every day to take their kids to after-school activities or driving downtown to their favorite restaurant,” said state Representative Reggie Miller (D-Van Buren Township). “The city of Milan, and others like it around the state, will be better places to live because of this assistance in maintaining our local roads.”
“I’m excited to see that the path is being paved for a better Michigan. These grants will help workers and families safely navigate their daily lives, from the drives to school, the park or grocery stores. In a way, we’re not just fixing the roads, we’re building stronger connections within our communities,” said state Representative Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township).
| County | Applicant | Project/Route | Grant Amount |
| Allegan | City of Fennville | East First Street and Park Street | $250,000.00 |
| Berrien | Village of Stevensville | Demorrow Road | $227,150.00 |
| Berrien | Village of Stevensville | Berrien Street, Lawrence Street, Kimmel Street, Park Street, and Mill Street | $137,694.00 |
| Berrien | City of St. Joseph | Saint Joseph Drive and Midway Avenue | $97,800.00 |
| Eaton | City of Charlotte | Walnut Street | $148,000.00 |
| Genesee | City of Linden | West Rolston Road | $250,000.00 |
| Genesee | City of Grand Blanc | Belsay Road | $100,000.00 |
| Ingham | City of Leslie | West Race Street | $250,000.00 |
| Ingham | City of Leslie | West Race Street | $220,000.00 |
| Ionia | City of Portland | Hill Street | $250,000.00 |
| Lapeer | Village of Clifford | Main Street | $150,000.00 |
| Oakland | City of Milford | West Huron Street and East Washington | $176,218.00 |
| Saginaw | Village of Birch Run | Maple Street | $108,060.00 |
| St. Clair | City of Yale | Mechanic Street | $186,000.00 |
| Van Buren | City of South Haven | ElkenburgStreet | $151,300.00 |
| Washtenaw | City of Milan | Ann Marie Drive and Michigan Avenue | $250,000.00 |
| Wayne | City of Rockwood | Olmstead Road | $150,000.00 |
The Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF), established in 1987 and reauthorized in 1993, plays a pivotal role in supporting transportation projects that are vital for the smooth flow of people, goods, and services. It focuses on enhancing the roads and highways necessary for workers to get to their jobs, for supplying raw materials to farmers and manufacturers, and for distributing final products to consumers.
Within the TEDF, there is a specifically designated “Category B,” also known as the “Community Service Infrastructure Fund,” which earmarks grants to fund road improvements within smaller municipalities—specifically those with populations not exceeding 10,000.
For those interested in learning more about these individual grants or seeking insight into the forthcoming Fiscal Year 2025 program that is slated to open in early April, information can be accessed online. All related details can be found on the Michigan government website under TEDF Category B – Villages and Small Cities.