Representative Scholten Announces Over $11 Million In Federal Funding For Community Projects In West Michigan Included In House Appropriations Bill Text

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03) announced that $11,480,000 in federal funding for 15 projects in Western Michigan is included in the House FY26 appropriations bills.

“I am proud to have fought to secure over $11 million for West Michigan in this year’s House appropriations bills,” said Representative Hillary Scholten. “These projects will modernize our roads and bridges, fund upgrades at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, and make critical, long-term investments in public safety, affordable housing, and workforce development. I will continue fighting to ensure that this funding is included in the final appropriations package.” 

A full list of projects is below: 

• $2,000,000 for the City of Muskegon Heights for Phase II of the Broadway Avenue Reconstruction and Streetscape project that is revitalizing a key corridor between Peck and Baker Streets. The funds would be used for roadway reconstruction, protected bike lanes, streetscape improvements, and infrastructure upgrades to enhance pedestrian safety, attract business investment, and support long-term economic development in an underserved community.
• $1,031,000 for Grand Valley State University to establish the West Michigan Trustworthy AI Consortium, which would position West Michigan as a national leader in responsible AI research and innovation. The funds will be used for hardware and computing resources, software, licensing, and cloud services.
• $750,000 for Kent County to establish a Real Time Intelligence Center (RTIC), a centralized hub that would support law enforcement efforts in crime prevention, investigation, and response. The funds will be used to purchase hardware, networking software, and staff training to integrate public and private camera systems into a centralized platform housed within the Kent County Sheriff's Office.
• $1,092,000 for the City of Grand Haven to remediate environmental contamination at Harbor Island in order to protect drinking water sources, prevent PFAS pollution of the Great Lakes, and return the site to public use. Harbor Island is home to an orphaned electricity plant. The funds will be used for hazardous material removal, groundwater protection, and site restoration.
• $1,092,000 for the City of Grand Rapids to upgrade a wastewater treatment facility. The funds will renovate the outdated UV disinfection system at the Water Resource Recovery Facility.
• $801,000 for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority to replace an aging lighting system on Taxiway B. The funds will be used to install energy-efficient, resilient lighting infrastructure to improve visibility and operational safety during low-visibility and nighttime conditions in order to ensure safe, efficient operations and improve the airport's overall reliability.
• $250,000 for the Kent County Road Commission to conduct a full-depth asphalt resurfacing of a section of Patterson Avenue.
• $250,000 for the City of Kentwood to construct a dedicated non-motorized bridge over I-96 at Forest Hill Avenue, connecting existing pedestrian and bicycle paths on both sides of the highway. The project will enhance safety, expand regional trail access, and reduce reliance on vehicles, creating a critical link between neighborhoods, schools, parks, and businesses in northern and southern Kentwood.
• $250,000 for the Kent County Convention and Arena Authority to support design and construction of a new pedestrian bridge across the Grand River. The funds would be used for planning, site preparation, accessibility features, and integration with transit and downtown infrastructure in order to improve safety, walkability, economic connectivity, and equitable access between neighborhoods, transit hubs, and commercial centers in downtown Grand Rapids.
• $250,000 for the MI State Housing Development Authority to support the construction of a five-story, 27-unit all-electric affordable homeownership development in Grand Rapids’ Roosevelt Park neighborhood. Specifically, funds would help cover hard construction costs associated with LEED certification, including energy-efficient appliances and systems. The project will expand affordable housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income families, promote neighborhood stability, and contribute to community revitalization.
• $464,000 for the Village of Fruitport to build barrier-free shoreline trails, additional walking paths through a wooded ravine, native landscaping, seating areas, historical signage, and a parking lot near Pomona Park.
• $500,000 for Muskegon County to build a new community literacy center in order to address illiteracy in Muskegon County and promote workforce development. The funds would be used for furniture, fixtures, and technology for the renovated facility.
• $750,000 for the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District to purchase advanced manufacturing training equipment for high school students and adult learners in order to expand access to in-demand manufacturing careers, support local defense and aerospace employers, and drive economic mobility in Muskegon County. The funds would be used to equip the Career Tech Center and Goodwill workforce programs with CNC machines, welding equipment, robotics trainers, and precision tools.
• $1,000,000 for the Interurban Transit Partnership to create child care opportunities at the Downtown Grand Rapids Transit Hub. The funds would be used for the construction and renovation of the Central Station Early Childhood Center. The overarching goal is to expand free and affordable child care options, supporting workforce participation and community development.
• $1,000,000 for the City of Rockford to expand and renovate Krause Memorial Library. The funds will be used for construction that doubles the library's size and improves accessibility.

“I appreciate federal support and Congresswoman Scholten’s service and dedication to the health and safety of the residents of the City of Grand Rapids. We are grateful for her efforts to secure funding for this critical project,” said City Manager of Grand Rapids Mark Washington.

“We are incredibly grateful to Congresswoman Scholten and the USDA for their continued support of the Krause Memorial Library Expansion Project,” said Rockford City Manager Thad Beard. “This funding will allow us to double the size of our existing library, transforming it into a welcoming, fully accessible community destination for all ages.”

“We are sincerely grateful to Congresswoman Scholten for her ongoing support of West Michigan’s infrastructure through the Taxiway B Lighting Replacement project,” said Tory Richardson, President and CEO of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. “This project will not only enhance the Airport’s essential infrastructure in a safe and sustainable manner but also strengthen our continued commitment to serving the community and supporting its future growth.”

“We are incredibly grateful to Congresswoman Hillary Scholten and her team for securing essential federal funding for the City of Grand Haven’s environmental remediation project. Their dedication and advocacy have made it possible to address long-standing contamination from PFAS and coal combustion residuals on Harbor Island, an effort that is critical to protecting our region’s drinking water and preserving the health of the Great Lakes. This investment marks a significant step forward in ensuring a cleaner, safer environment for generations to come,” said Ashley Latsch, City Manager of the City of Grand Haven.

"This investment in Read Muskegon’s new literacy center represents far more than the renovation of a long-vacant building in the heart of downtown Muskegon Heights—it’s a bold step toward revitalizing our community. This center will be a vital hub for children, adults, and families to build the skills they need to thrive, acting as a powerful catalyst for lasting economic and social transformation,” said Melissa Moore, Executive Director of Read Muskegon.

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