$46.5 Million Supplemental Budget Will Aid UP Projects

LANSING — The Legislature passed a supplemental budget early this morning that included funding for a number of important projects for the Upper Peninsula. Within the package was approximately $30 million for Michigan Tech University’s H-STEM outlay project, $10 million for the renowned Copper Peak ski jump in Gogebic County, $2 million for Gogebic Community College’s Tech Training Facility, $1.5 million for the Waupaca Foundry in Gogebic County, and $3 million for Buffalo Reef remediation.

In response to its passage, state Rep. Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) issued the following statement: “While it took a long time to get us here, I am proud to say that the supplemental budget we approved will be one of the most economically impactful pieces of legislation for the U.P. in decades with roughly $46.5 million in funding for projects that directly benefit the people of our district. These additional funds will ensure greater access to the world-class education our post-secondary schools provide, as well as protecting some of the things that make our community so unique. As we finally close the book on this legislative term, I am proud to say that we were able to do one last thing to improve the lives of the people of the U.P.”