August 11, 2005

LANSING – Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry, Jr. was in Houghton today to announce that new funding through the Small Urban Program will help with road improvement projects.  Area communities will receive four grants totaling $750,000.  The money is part of $15 million being provided to communities across Michigan.

“I am honored to bring good news to Houghton County,” said Cherry.  “A strong and safe infrastructure is key to attracting and creating good jobs, and these new grants will help ensure that this community has safe and usable roads.”

The Lt. Governor announced that Laurium will receive $375,000 for a road project, Hancock will receive $125,000 for a road project, Houghton will receive $125,000 for a road project and a transit project, and the Houghton County Road Commission will also receive $125,000 for a road project.  All of the projects are expected to start later this year.

The Small Urban Program is an approach unique to Michigan.  The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) initiated the program more than a decade ago in an effort to invest federal dollars in small urban communities in Michigan.  To be eligible for funding, projects must be in communities with a population base between 5,000 and 50,000, be located on the federal-aid highway system, and be consistent with regional land use and development plans.

The Lt. Governor’s visit to Houghton is part of a five-day tour of Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula which also includes stops in Boyne City, Cheboygan, Sault Ste. Marie, Newberry, Wetmore and L’Anse.  During his trip, the Lt. Governor will be highlighting the Governor’s five-point economic plan which will jumpstart the economy and create tens of thousands of new jobs.

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