LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder has approved more than $2.7 million to provide financial assistance to Michigan counties and communities impacted by last spring's flooding and last winter's deep freeze.
Eligible local governments were allowed to apply for assistance grants for up to $100,000, or 10 percent of the previous year's operating budget, whichever is less. Snyder says in a statement Thursday that the money will "help local governments receive some financial relief to their budgets."
The Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund is used when communities demonstrate an exhaustion of local resources during a disaster or emergency.
Snyder declared a state of disaster in April for Newaygo and Osceola counties due to severe weather and widespread flooding. In May, the disaster declaration was amended to include Isabella, Mecosta, Missaukee, Muskegon, Roscommon and Wexford counties.
Snyder declared a state of emergency Marquette County in April due to the damage caused by last winter's extremely cold temperatures and deep frost levels. In May, the emergency declaration was amended to include Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Delta, Emmet, Gogebic, Luce and Mackinac counties.
In October, the Michigan Strategic Fund approved more than $7.6 million in aid to communities in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula through the Community Development Block Grant program to assist in repairing critical infrastructure damaged by last winter's deep freeze.
