Congresswoman Hillary Scholten Announces FY24 Submissions for Community Project Funding for MI-03

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Today, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten announced her submissions for Community Project Funding for fiscal year 2024. Community Projects are specific grants for community organizations, nonprofits, and local governments, submitted to the House Appropriations Committee by Members of Congress on behalf of their districts.

“As a proud West Michigander, I want what’s best for my community. As our representative in Congress, a major priority of mine is making sure the hard earned tax dollars of MI-03 residents are working for them. That was top of mind when I selected this year’s community projects,” said Congresswoman Hillary Scholten. “These submissions are responsive to a diverse array of needs across my district. Now that applications are submitted, my office and I are committed to advocating on all fronts to make sure these projects are fully funded.”

Congresswoman Scholten submitted the maximum number of projects on behalf of MI-03 to the House Committee on Appropriations. Following this, the committee will closely evaluate each submission for consideration of inclusion in annual appropriations legislation. In order for a submitted project to ultimately receive funding, it must be included in a bill that passes both the House and the Senate and is then signed into law by the president. Listed below in alphabetical order are summaries of each of the 15 projects that were submitted:

904 Renovation - United Methodist Community House

Congresswoman Scholten requested $1,000,000 to  fund the renovation of classrooms and a gymnasium to accommodate second shift and alternative care for children in Grand Rapids. The project is located in the most economically distressed zip code in Kent County (49507). Many nearby families are not able to accept afternoon work shifts or attend evening classes to better their employment because they do not currently have access to quality & affordable childcare. When completed, this renovation will help get people back to work, help employers become more productive, create a stronger tax base, prepare children for successful academic careers, and more.

Broadway Streetscape Improvements - City of Muskegon Heights

Congresswoman Scholten requested $5,100,000 for streetscape improvements on Broadway Avenue in downtown Muskegon Heights. This will include narrowing traffic lanes, allowing for traffic calming, adding bike lanes for safe travel, and placing additional crosswalks to encourage pedestrian movement across Broadway between businesses, residences, cultural venues, and Rowan Park. These investments will be a catalyst in downtown Muskegon Heights that will invite businesses to invest downtown, people to live downtown, and visitors to frequent downtown, stimulating neighborhood revitalization, growth, and economic development. 

Building for our Future - Capital Improvement Project - Tri-Cities YMCA

Congresswoman Scholten requested $2,000,000 to modernize and expand the early childhood learning wing of the Tri-Cities YMCA, enabling the YMCA to better meet the critical need for quality, affordable childcare in Grand Haven and Northwest Ottawa County. Licensed childcare is currently provided in a repurposed racquetball court. In addition to childcare improvements, this funding will create greater opportunities for community members to engage in healthy activity, spend time with family, connect with others, volunteer to promote wellness and engage in fitness and sports that improve overall well-being. 

Building to Belong - Treetops Collective
Congresswoman Scholten requested $670,000 for the rehabilitation and renovation of the Treetops Collective building to create affordable housing and turn a warehouse into a community center in Grand Rapids. Michigan has a substantial refugee population - it has been among the top five states nationally over the past decade in terms of refugee arrivals - and Grand Rapids is one of the top locations in the state for placement. Nothing like this project exists in West Michigan, and there is a dire need for a support services space that aids refugees in navigating their transition to life in the United States. 

Butterworth Street Stormwater Project - City of Grand Rapids

Congresswoman Scholten requested $1,600,000 for the City of Grand Rapids to reduce stormwater accumulation and resulting flooding. The funding would be used to evaluate stormwater needs, develop alternatives to manage the water and eliminate the sediment in the road and on neighboring properties near Butterworth Street and the border with Walker, benefiting both cities and the surrounding area.

City Center Phase I Public Infrastructure - City of Wyoming

Congresswoman Scholten requested $2,000,000 for Wyoming’s City Center Phase I Public Infrastructure project on 28th Street. This request supports the first phase of this project, which includes constructing a new pedestrian bridge that provides passage over 28th Street and 3.1 miles of new non-motorized trails that create a linkage to regional destinations, including north to Grand Rapids and south to Byron Township. This project is the first step in creating a safe environment for pedestrians around 28th Street, currently a very dangerous road to cross on foot.

Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative Center - IFF

Congresswoman Scholten requested $400,000 for the IFF Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative Center in Grand Rapids. A recent regional early childhood needs assessment showed that only 30 percent of the need for subsidized and Head Start early childhood education programs is being met in Grand Rapids, putting undue burden on low-income children and families. The Center will demonstrate high quality and leading early childhood education practices and will allow parents to engage more fully in the workforce and advance family economic security 

Grand River Greenway Trail Connection - Kent County

Congresswoman Scholten requested $7,000,000 for the Grand River Greenway Trail Connection in Kent County. This project will complete a 23-mile trail connection that runs through Plainfield Township and Cannon Township. On an annual basis, Kent and Ottawa Counties alone attract $1.8 billion in spending because of travel tourism, supporting retail, food and beverage, transportation, recreation, and lodging businesses. Over 50% of visitors to the region come to enjoy water-related activities or parks. This new trail connector is proposed in alignment with local trail plans and would support multiple forms of recreation and the region’s outdoor and tourism economy

Landside Improvements–Terminal Enhancement Project - Grand Rapids International Airport

Congresswoman Scholten requested $789,000 for the Gerald R. Ford Airport Authority Terminal Enhancement Project. This project is a critical piece of the Terminal Enhancement Project, which would support TSA’s growth and airline service demands in West Michigan, one of the first airports in the country to return to pre-pandemic travel levels. This funding would be used to make critical roadway and utility improvements, which are necessary for the project’s completion.

Police Modular Vehicle Barrier Systems - City of Muskegon

Congresswoman Scholten requested $380,000 for modular vehicle barrier systems for the City of Muskegon’s Department of Public Safety. The systems are designed to prevent vehicle-born mass casualty incidents during the one hundred plus annual community festivals, events and parades in Muskegon. This equipment will improve the effectiveness of  law enforcement personnel by adding a much-needed additional layer of security and safety for all event organizers and all attendees

Seymour Condominiums - ICCF

Congresswoman Scholten requested $3,500,000 for the Seymour Condominiums in Grand Rapids. The Seymour Condominiums is a proposed comprehensive redevelopment of a vacant school building located at 2550 Eastern Avenue on the edge of the Alger Heights Business Corridor. ICCF developed the plan for Seymour Condominiums to address the city's need for mixed-income homeownership opportunities while honoring the structure's history & the surrounding neighborhood. The funding would be used to construct new homes that will be included in the Community Land Trust, ensuring that they are priced affordably and sold to low-income households in perpetuity

Silver Line Station Enhancement Project - The Rapid
Congresswoman Scholten requested $3,225,000 for the Silver Line Station Enhancement Project in Grand Rapids. This funding would be used to design and upgrade a Bus Rapid Transit station near Trinity Health. This includes increasing the size of the station, improving pedestrian access to the station, and designing a plaza public space leading to the station. This project will connect the station to Trinity Health development opportunities, enhancing access to healthcare, employment, housing, and groceries. 

West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Headquarters - West Michigan Chamber of Commerce

Congresswoman Scholten requested $2,000,000 to establish a new headquarters for the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce within the Southwest side of the City of Grand Rapids. This new building will create space for Latino entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses. A recent study showed that the economic impact to the area GDP of the Latino population was $1.1 billion just in Kent County. Constructing this new facility will accelerate local economic growth and is estimated to double the area GDP over the next 20 years as the Latino population grows an expected 130% by 2025.

West Michigan Youth Sports Complex - West Michigan Sports Commission
Congresswoman Scholten requested $750,000 to support the expansion and renovation of the West Michigan Youth Sports Complex. This project will have a significant impact on the economy in West Michigan. Small businesses in the area have come to depend on the seasonal influx of families who patronize local hotels, restaurants, retail stores, and other amenities. The proposed work will generate an additional $2 million in visitor spending annually and would provide parity in facilities through creation of a championship softball field.

Youth Development Center - Urban League of West Michigan

Congresswoman Scholten requested $750,000 to support the acquisition, development, and expansion of the current Urban League facility to create a separate youth-focused wing to allow the organization to expand youth programming. The Center will provide in-school and after-school programs to support academic achievement/retention, completion and graduation, college enrollment and matriculation, career development, vocational training and job placement.

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About Representative Scholten:

Representative Hillary Scholten is the first mom and first woman to serve Michigan’s Third Congressional District. She is a social worker and immigration attorney who worked for the Department of Justice under President Obama. Congresswoman Scholten lives in Grand Rapids, MI with her husband, Jesse, and two sons. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for updates from the official office.