G.L. Metro Chambers Coalition Success: $25 million for Great Lakes dredging

Dredging in Leland, MI. (Photo courtesy of upnorthlive.com) 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will spend $25 million on navigation projects in the Great Lakes, including funding to help address the backlog of dredging projects in the Great Lakes.  Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) announced the funding Wednesday.   The additional funds come from the plus-up appropriations in the omnibus budget bill passed in January.

The Great Lakes Metro Chamber Coalition, of the which the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance is an active participant at the federal level, stumped for this objective on Capitol Hill in January and gathered signatures from our legislators on House and Senate letters to the Corps urging the additional allocation.  We helped lead the effort for both a higher top line number for overall Corps funding, and also to make sure the Great Lakes receive their fair share.

Northern Michigan harbors receiving funding include dredging projects at Leland Harbor, Cheboygan Harbor, and Menominee Harbor.

This increase is a major victory for the Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition, and for the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance, and further proof that our combined efforts as a northern Michigan and Great Lakes region can pay off with results that will improve access to harbors and impact the supply chains and economy of our region.

For more information on the G.L. Metro Chambers Coalition at its agenda, visit www.greatlakesmetrochambers.com/