LANSING — Less than a month after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law the state of Michigan’s fiscal year 2023 budget, which authorizes $100 million in funds to modernize current facilities used by the Michigan Army National Guard, to address inequities that exist in the facilities provided to Michigan’s women service members, modernization of the Grand Ledge Armory is nearing completion and construction at Grayling Army Airfield Armory is underway.

The Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs said in a news release that of the 33 facilities targeted for modernization with this investment, two are under construction: Grand Ledge Armory, which is nearing completion, and Grayling Army Airfield Armory. Construction will begin soon at seven additional facilities this year: Albion Armory, Gladstone Armory, Ishpeming Armory, Kalamazoo Armory, Port Huron Armory, Traverse City Armory and Washtenaw Armory.

At the time many of these buildings were constructed, the structure and composition of the MIARNG force was primarily male and facilities, like restrooms and showers, were designed with that in mind. Now, nearly 1,500 women serve in the MIARNG. However, very few of the facilities used for drill and other activities have been updated to reflect women’s needs. The modernization project will provide for necessary improvements including new toilet and shower facilities.