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US sues NY state officials over immigration enforcement; NM's national monuments face new development threats from Trump; NC community colleges get 'boost' to bring more students to high-demand jobs; Trump's resignation plan for federal workers can move forward; Advocates push for program to decrease wildlife collisions in VA.

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Deregulation raises environmental and public health concerns, national monuments face potential risks, political neutrality in education sparks protests, and Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation fuels controversy.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

Federal funds revive MI's capital city

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Thursday, June 6, 2024   

The City of Lansing, once teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, has gotten a boost from millions of federal dollars. The funds are a combination of big national investment initiatives in Congress, from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the Inflation Reduction Act.

The money has been poured into projects like transitioning coal-fired power plants to natural gas, providing new equipment for first responders and solar upgrades for school buses. One major investment is electric vehicle manufacturing, with an $8 million grant matched by $2 million in local funding.

Andy Schor, mayor of Lansing, said it is expected to create 1,700 jobs.

"Making sure that we've got people that are educated, that can build these batteries and cars and place these charging stations," Schor outlined. "There's lots of job opportunity, especially through our union employees, through our IBEW and UAW."

The mayor pointed out they are also using the tax-credit provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act to help with infrastructure projects, including wastewater treatment. He also hopes to land funding from the CHIPS Act, to revitalize an old General Motors plant.

Lansing received $19 million from the State of Michigan to clean up the GM plant, now called Racer Trust Plant 6. Schor emphasized although the building has been torn down, the underground infrastructure remains.

"We're putting $17 million into that area to clean it up," Schor explained. "We're using state dollars, which were passed through from the feds, and then once that's cleaned up, in the next few years, we expect to put in some kind of advance manufacturing there. And again, we're hoping to recruit somebody using the CHIPS Act."

Schor acknowledged getting CHIPS Act funding is very competitive, but Lansing has been a finalist in a few major projects and he is confident they will be able to secure funding in the future.

For the time being, Schor added Lansing is maximizing the federal funding it has already received.

"I'm thrilled that, you know, with $100 billion in money on the street, we're applying for everything we can, and we've been very successful," Schor stressed. "We are tremendously thankful to the federal government."


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