Congressman Mark Schauer is committed to getting results for the people of Branch County. Below is an overview of his efforts to bring jobs and investment to our area.
2009 Omnibus Funding
Under the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which Congressman Schauer voted to support, Branch Area Transit Authority (BATA) will receive $190,000 for the purchase of two new wheelchair accessible buses, which will strengthen the program’s services for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Having a strong and active countywide transit system is essential for seniors and disabled individuals who need help getting from Point A to Point B. At a time when families across the state are struggling to make ends meet, this funding offers a much-needed boost to a critical public service.
Recovery Act: School Funding
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Congressman Schauer voted to support, Branch County school districts are expected to receive the following funding amounts:
- Bronson: $195,754 Title I-A increase; $323,000 IDEA increase
- Coldwater: $361,832 Title I-A increase; $753,000 IDEA increase
- Quincy: $236,738 Title I-A increase; $365,000 IDEA increase
- Union City: $245,914 Title I-A increase; $281,000 IDEA increase
Recovery Act: Community Development
As part of the Recovery Act, which Congressman Schauer voted to support, the Bronson Housing Commission will receive $84,163 for capital and management activities, including modernization and development of public housing, which will create construction jobs.
Recovery Act: Branch Head Start
As part of the Recovery Act, which Congressman Schauer voted to support, Branch ISD will receive $120,948 to help provide full-year, part-day training and technical assistance for the Head Start program to serve children with disabilities. Read more here.
Recovery Act: Public Safety Funding
As part of the Recovery Act, which Congressman Schauer voted to support, Branch County and the City of Coldwater will receive two grants totaling more than $31,000 through the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Justice. This allocation includes $10,908 for Branch County, and $20,306 for the City of Coldwater. This funding will be used to help communities keep their neighborhoods safer with more police officers, prosecutors, and probation officers; more radios and equipment; more help for crime victims and more crime prevention programs for youth.
Recovery Act: Clean Water Funds
As part of the Recovery Act, which Congressman Schauer voted to support, Branch County will receive funding to upgrade sewer and wastewater treatment facilities. Funding for this portion of the ARRA will flow to communities through the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality State Revolving Fund. Branch County currently has two projects on the Fiscal Year 2009 priority list: $2.47 million to the Board of Public Utilities for sewer replacements in Coldwater, and $2.08 million for upgrades to the Coldwater Waste Water Treatment Plant. The State of Michigan will determine what portion of funding these projects receive from the ARRA.
2010 Appropriations Requests
As part of the 2010 Appropriations process, Mark requested the following projects for Branch County. To learn more about this process, and see a complete list of projects our office requested, click here.
Bus and Bus Facilities, Branch Area Transit Authority
$114,800 - Transportation, Housing and Urban Development
This funding request is for the purchase of one medium duty bus, one light duty cutaway bus, a security system upgrade, and a radio repeater and equipment. Branch County Transportation Authority provides transit services across Branch County. This request is a good use of taxpayer funding because it will improve and enhance transit options for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and workers in Branch County.
Recipient:
Branch County Transportation Authority
306 S. Clay Street
PO Box 979
Coldwater, MI 49036
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Streamlined Green Building, Branch County Memorial Airport, Coldwater MI
$450,000 - Transportation, Housing and Urban Development
This request is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it would replace an outdated terminal that is both structurally and energy inefficient. The new building will reduce costs through energy efficiencies, and allow for a streamlined process for receiving pilots and passengers and transitioning them to local businesses and activities.
This project is the final step in the County’s plan to improve capacity at the airport and address environmental concerns. Branch County Memorial Airport serves the residents of Branch County, St. Joseph County, Hillsdale County, and part of Calhoun County. The project would create approximately 25 construction jobs.
Recipient:
Branch County Memorial Airport
351 Airport Rd
Coldwater, MI 49036
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Bronson Library Barrier Free Accessibility Project
$144,000 - Labor Health and Human Services
The project is intended to make the Bronson Library accessible for everyone in Bronson, Branch County, and surrounding areas, regardless of physical disability. This request is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it will ensure that the library is barrier free and that its technology, equipment and research materials are fully accessible, and also that it has an accessible bathroom for library patrons.
Recipient:
Friends of the Bronson Library
207 N. Matteson Street
Bronson, Michigan 49028
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Community Unlimited Community Building
$350,000 – Agriculture
This request is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it will renovate and equip a very old school maintenance building into a community building that houses licensed child care, youth, family and adult programs and other community events and services. It will transform a solid brick building with high utility expenses, single-pane windows, flat roof, original wiring, plumbing, and boiler heating systems to an energy-efficient, low maintenance, “green” building. Besides being a local model of green construction, this project will increase local employment, and expand community services and resources.
Community Unlimited is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that operates before- and after-school programs for children and youth; is a Child and Adult Care Food Program and Michigan Summer Food Service Program site, and offers various community services for rural residents in Branch and Calhoun counties. This project would create an estimated 25 jobs during construction.
Recipient:
Community Unlimited
221 Ellen Street
Union City, MI 49094
2010 Transportation Requests
On behalf of Branch County, Mark has made the following requests for funding in the 2010 surface transportation authorization bill:
Rehabilitate or replace Central Road Bridge over Coldwater River in Branch County, Michigan.
The replacement will sustain the integrity of the transportation system of Branch County allowing any future economic development to remain viable. The structural capacity will be increased to meet Michigan’s current legal Load Capacities, and the bridge and approach roadside barriers will meet current AASHTO Design Guidelines. Central Road Bridge over the Coldwater River is located on an East-West rural major collector route 0.2 miles West of the highest volume North-South rural major collector route under Branch County Road Commission jurisdiction. Therefore, the replacement of this structure is necessary to maintain the integrity of the Branch County Road Network.
Requested amount is $480,000.
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Rehabilitate or replace South Angola Road Bridge over Coldwater River in Branch County, Michigan.
The South Angola Road Bridge over the Coldwater River is located on the highest volume North-South rural major collector route under the jurisdiction of the Branch County Road Commission. Therefore, the replacement of this structure is necessary to maintain the integrity of the Branch County Road network. The replacement will sustain the integrity of the transportation system of Branch County allowing any future economic development to remain viable. The structural capacity will be increased to meet Michigan’s current legal Load Capacities, and the bridge and approach roadside barriers will meet current AASHTO Design Guidelines.
Requested amount is $656,000.
Green Schools Funding
Congressman Schauer voted in favor of legislation that will improve our public schools, create clean energy jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and lower energy costs for taxpayers. According to the House Education and Labor Committee, local school districts are expected to receive the following funding amounts for FY2010 under the House-passed bill:
- Bronson, $160,000
- Coldwater, $314,000
- Quincy, $209,000
- Union City, $184,000
