Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
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November 12, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2021
Contact: press@michigan.gov
Governor Whitmer Successfully Appeals for Additional Funding for Wayne and Ionia Counties to Assist with Storm Recovery Efforts
LANSING, Mich. - Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced that Wayne and Ionia counties would receive additional funding in the form of grants to help with storm cleanup efforts after President Biden approved the activation of the Public Assistance Program for the areas. The successful request for additional funding comes after the governor appealed an initial denial from the federal government for assistance for these municipalities following heavy rainfall and flooding across Michigan in late June.
"Michiganders have already been through enough with the unprecedented storms this summer, and the last thing they need is to be stuck with the bill for the cleanup costs," said Governor Whitmer. "That's why I've fought for every available dollar to lower the cost for communities and ensure that they get the much-needed assistance to get back to normal. With the new bipartisan infrastructure plan, we are going to get to work upgrading and shoring up our infrastructure to mitigate damages from future storms and create countless good-paying construction jobs in the process."
"These much-needed grants will help Wayne County residents continue to rebuild and recover after this year's severe weather," said Wayne County Commissioner Chair Alisha Bell. "We thank Governor Whitmer for appealing the initial denial from the federal government and for fighting tirelessly for Wayne County residents."
"This past summer's storms had an unprecedented impact on Ionia County," said David Hodges, Ionia County Commission Chair. "These grants will support storm cleanup efforts, helping local residents. We applaud Governor Whitmer for securing these grants for Ionia County."
With the activation of the Public Assistance Program, local governments in Wayne and Ionia counties affected by the storms are now eligible for grants to supplement response and recovery costs. Those costs include debris removal, repairing roads, bridges, and public buildings, and damages to public utilities.
On June 25 and 26, heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding in southeast Michigan, damaging infrastructure and private property. On June 26, Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Wayne County, later adding Huron, Ionia and Washtenaw Counties. By declaring a state of emergency, the governor made available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the designated area.
On July 13, Governor Whitmer sent a letter to President Biden requesting that he declare an emergency disaster for the state of Michigan. On July 15, President Biden issued a disaster declaration allowing individual assistance for Wayne and Washtenaw counties.
On August 27, Governor Whitmer requested the Public Assistance Program be activated for Ionia, Wayne and Washtenaw counties. On October 8, FEMA denied that request. On November 2, following an additional joint Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA), Governor Whitmer appealed the decision.
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