By Journal Staff

LANSING — State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks announced on Monday that a total of $2.7 million is being awarded to 16 municipalities — including the village of Ontonagon — through the Financially Distressed Cities, Villages and Townships Grant Program.

The village of Ontonagon, which is the sole Upper Peninsula recipient of funds, was awarded $227,995 to replace a fire department rescue truck.

Municipalities can participate in the FDCVT Grant Program if they are experiencing one or more conditions indicative of probable financial stress as defined in state law.

The grants fund specific projects, services or strategies — including infrastructure and public safety enhancements — that move a city, village or township toward financial stability.

“This grant program helps those municipalities that have faced recent financial challenges,” Eubanks said in a news release.

“Infrastructure and public safety projects are critical services that residents depend on every day. By proactively assisting our local units of government, we are enabling our entire state to thrive.”

For fiscal year 2021, the Michigan Legislature appropriated $2.5 million for the program, with a $200,000 carryover from the previous fiscal year. The Financially Distressed Cities, Villages and Townships Grant Program has a $2 million cap per municipality and grants are awarded based on applications submitted by the municipality.

The following communities will receive funding this year, with projects and amounts noted in alphabetical order:

≤ City of Allen Park

Water system enhancement through replacement of lead service lines

$200,000

≤ City of Benton Harbor

Water system enhancement through replacement of fire hydrants and water valves

$300,000

≤ Village of Burr Oak

Water system enhancement through replacement of water meters

$77,000

≤ City of Ecorse

Public safety enhancement through replacement of one ambulance

$188,000

≤ City of Flint

Public safety enhancement through installation of surveillance cameras and purchase of police body cameras

$183,505

≤ City of Gaastra

Water system enhancement through repair of water storage tank

$298,000

≤ City of Hamtramck

Public safety enhancement through purchase of police body cameras

$111,146

≤ City of Highland Park

Public safety enhancement through installation of streetlights

$100,000

≤ City of Inkster

Public service enhancement through infrastructure replacement of fire station building

$214,764

≤ City of Inkster

Water system enhancement through replacement of fire hydrants

$100,000

≤ City of Lansing

Public service enhancement through technology infrastructure upgrades

$30,000

≤ City of Lansing

Public service enhancement through technology upgrades

$100,000

≤ City of Melvindale

Public service enhancement through technology upgrades

$18,075

≤ City of Melvindale

Water system enhancement through replacement of fire hydrants

$131,200

≤ City of Muskegon Heights

Public safety enhancement through installation of surveillance cameras and purchase of police body cameras

$153,000

≤ Village of Ontonagon

Public safety enhancement through replacement of fire department rescue truck

$227,995

≤ City of River Rouge

Public service enhancement through renovation of dispatch center

$198,151

≤ City of Saginaw

Public safety enhancement through replacement of streetlights

$37,109

≤ City of Wayne

Public safety enhancement through repair of police building HVAC system

$35,000