Congressman Mark Schauer is committed to getting results for the people of Calhoun County. Below is an overview of his efforts to bring jobs and investment to our area.
Recovery Act: Road Funding
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Congressman Schauer voted to support, Calhoun County will receive $300,000 in funding to upgrade sidewalk and pedestrian signals along M-96 in Battle Creek from Columbia Ave, north to I-94 BL. This is a smart short and long-term investment that will create jobs now and upgrade our aging infrastructure.
Recovery Act: School Funding
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Congressman Schauer voted to support, Calhoun County school districts are expected to receive the following funding amounts:
- Albion: $770,062 Title I-A increase; $550,000 IDEA increase
- Athens: $84,314 Title I-A increase; $191,000 IDEA increase
- Battle Creek: $2,746,477 Title I-A increase; $2,069,000 IDEA increase
- Bellevue: $92,811 Title I-A increase; $221,000 IDEA increase
- Harper Creek: $250,982 Title I-A increase; $540,000 IDEA increase
- Homer: $152,010 Title I-A increase; $220,000 IDEA increase
- Lakeview: $295,427 Title I-A increase; $752,000 IDEA increase
- Mar Lee: $31,987 Title I-A increase; $61,000 IDEA increase
- Marshall: $166,668 Title I-A increase; $497,000 IDEA increase
- Pennfield: $158,825 Title I-A increase; $357,000 IDEA increase
- Tekonsha: $37,255 Title I-A increase; $82,000 IDEA increase
Recovery Act: Public Safety Funding
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Congressman Schauer voted to support, Calhoun County will receive several grants through the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Justice. The allocation includes includes $39,774 for Calhoun County; $395,892 for Battle Creek; $41,452 for Albion; $12,587 for Marshall; $17,957 for Springfield; $29,369 for Emmett Charter Township; $20,978 for Pennfield Charter Township; and $26,852 for Bedford Township. 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: Fort Custer Funding
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Congressman Schauer voted to support, the Fort Custer Training Center in Augusta will receive $2.25 million in funding to modernize water, sewer and electrical systems.
Fort Custer's training facilities are used by the Michigan National Guard and other branches of the armed forces. Many Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) students from colleges across the Midwest also train at this facility, as well as the FBI, the Michigan State Police, various law enforcement agencies, and the Lansing Community College Truck Driver Training School.
Recovery Act: Transit Funding
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Congressman Schauer voted to support, Battle Creek is expected to receive $1.2 million for public transportation funding. In general, “transit capital” projects are defined as those that acquire, rehabilitate, or overhaul a public transportation systems “rolling stock,” i.e. buses or trains, or help introduce new technology into an existing transit system. It can also include the construction, renovation or upgrade of a transit system station.
Recovery Act: Energy Efficiency
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Congressman Schauer voted to support, Battle Creek will receive more than $545,000 from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program. The EECBG program provides federal grants to units of local government, Indian tribes, states, and territories to reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and for improvements in energy efficiency. It is modeled after the Community Development Block Grant program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Recovery Act: Health Care Services
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Congressman Schauer voted to support, the Family Health Centers of Battle Creek and Albion will receive more than $373,000 to expand local healthcare services. Strategies to expand services may include, but are not limited to, increasing health center staffing, expanding hours of operations or expanding existing services. This is a one-time award for a two-year budget/project cycle.
Recovery Act: Brownfield Grants
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Congressman Schauer voted to support, Battle Creek and Albion will receive $400,000 and $200,000, respectively, in assessment grants through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfield Redevelopment program. The grants will go to the City of Battle Creek and the Albion Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to conduct site assessment and planning for eventual cleanup of brownfield sites. By investing in our communities and cleaning up contaminated sites, we can create green jobs and offer a much-needed boost to our local economies.
2009 Appropriations Projects
As part of the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which Congressman Schauer voted to support this February, W.K. Kellogg Airport will receive $722,000 for a new parallel runway; Marshall Dial-A-Ride will receive $95,000 to purchase a new bus to service seniors and disabled persons; and Starr Commonwealth of Albion will receive $342,500 for renovation of living quarters and classrooms.
2010 Appropriations Requests
As part of the 2010 Appropriations process, Mark requested the following projects for Calhoun County. To learn more about this process, and see a complete list of projects our office requested, click here.
Component Numbered Air Force (cNAF) Warfighting Headquarters Mission
$13,900,000 – Military Construction
This project is also known as the “TFI-cNAF Beddown” at the Battle Creek Air National Guard (ANG) base. The cNAF Warfighting Headquarters mission is located at W.K.KelloggAirport in Battle Creek and includes a Command Support Element, Air Operations Squadron, Air Intelligence Squadron, Air Communications Squadron, Air Operations Center (SCIF), and an Air Mobility Squadron.
This request is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it is Michigan’s top Military Construction priority as requested and ranked by the Michigan National Guard, Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and Major General Thomas Cutler, Adjutant General of Michigan. Facilities support day to day activities associated with wartime skills training and operational reachback capability for cNAF Warfighting Headquarters personnel. This project meets the criteria as specified in Air Force Handbook 32-1084 (“Facility Requirements”) and is in compliance with the base master plan. It is programmed for construction in year 2011, and will continue the proud tradition of the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base and our honored personnel who serve there.
Recipient:
Michigan Air National Guard
W.K.Kellogg Airport Installation
Battle Creek, Michigan 49015
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Organizational Maintenance Shop at Fort Custer
$7,700,000 – Military Construction
This project is the construction of a combined Unit Training Equipment Site (UTES) and consolidated Organizational Maintenance Shop (OMS) with drive-thru workbays for oversized military equipment fielding by the Army National Guard Division Redesign Study (ADRS) at FortCuster. This request is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it is a Military Construction priority as requested and ranked by the Michigan National Guard, Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and Major General Thomas Cutler, Adjutant General of Michigan. This new OMS will replace an existing OMS at Fort Custer which has been found by engineering investigations to be structurally unsafe.
Recipient:
Michigan Army National Guard
2501 26th Street
Augusta, MI 49012
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Next Generation Superchargers to Increase the Performance of Military Engines
$4,000,000 – Defense
This request is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it will help soldiers fighting overseas by improving the pursuit, obstacle avoidance and flight capability of their military vehicles, particularly in hot, dusty environments. Military vehicle power and acceleration have suffered in recent years as vehicle weight has increased. This project meets the military’s immediate need for an advanced supercharger specifically designed to meet the harsh requirements of military diesel engines, while still being easily maintainable and cost-effective. The advanced supercharger is retrofitable for HMMWVs and other vehicles with tight under-hood space constraints.
Eaton Corporation employs approximately 2,000 people in Michigan and approximately 1,000 people in Michigan’s 7th congressional district. Approximately 80% of this project’s funding would be spent in Marshall, Michigan (Eaton Corporation’s supercharger division is headquartered in Marshall), and about 10% would be spent in Southfield, Michigan (the headquarters of Eaton Automotive). This project will create/retain 12 jobs at Eaton’s supercharger division in Marshall and anticipates creating a new military market for Eaton Automotive, leading to further job creation in Michigan in advanced engineering, sales and marketing.
Recipient:
Eaton Corporation
19218 B Drive South
Marshall, Michigan 49068
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Photovoltaic Rooftop Systems for Department of Defense Buildings
$1,500,000 – Defense
This project is the development of rugged, non-glass photovoltaic (PV) rooftop systems for Department of Defense buildings. The federal government is currently estimated to be the largest single consumer of electricity, spending approximately $5.8 billion annually. The proposed project would accelerate adoption of photovoltaic rooftop arrays for federal buildings by working with the U.S. Army Engineering Center to develop PV roofing materials in accordance with Department of Defense building specifications and required certifications. This will advance the Army Engineering Center’s ability to assess and recommend further PV projects and help reduce deployment costs, facilitating larger scale application of PV for Department of Defense and other federal buildings. This request is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it will help provide energy security, save taxpayer dollars, reduce pollution and create green collar jobs.
United Solar Ovonic, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, is the world’s largest manufacturer of flexible solar panels that convert sunlight to electricity. Together with its parent company Energy Conversion Devices, United Solar Ovonic employs about 1500 people in Michigan and is currently constructing a fifth manufacturing plant in Battle Creek that is expected to employ 350 people.
Recipient:
United Solar Ovonic
3800 Lapeer Road
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Battle Creek, MI manufacturing facility
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International Food Protection Training Institute
$16,000,000 – Agriculture
This project is the establishment of an International Food Protection Training Institute to train state and local food safety professionals by providing first-in-class, career-spanning, certified curriculum in accordance with recognized food safety program standards. The Institute will be the centerpiece of a broader initiative being established by Battle Creek Unlimited, the National Center for Food Protection. This request is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it will improve food safety inspections and protect consumers from health hazards that cost lives.
There is a critical need to modernize the way the national food protection system prepares its field forces to meet the growing challenges and complexities of an increasingly global food supply, wherein technology has outpaced traditional regulatory approaches, and the increasing reliance upon imports and just-in-time supply chains challenges regulatory expertise. The International Food Protection Training Institute will be run in partnership with the Association of Food and Drug Officials, a non-profit professional organization established in 1896 consisting of state, federal, local regulatory officials, and industry representatives, and a vast array of public health associations. The Institute is expected to create 30-40 FTE positions, and to train up to 45,000 food protection professionals over 5 years, beginning with 1,000 trainees in FY2010. These trainees will travel to and stay in Battle Creek for the duration of the 1-week course they will attend.
Recipient:
Battle Creek Unlimited
4950 W. Dickman Road, Ste. A-1
Battle Creek, MI 49015
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Homer Lake Environmental Restoration and Protection
$150,000 – Energy and Water
Homer Lake in Calhoun County, Michigan, is at the headwaters of the St. Joseph River watershed. Surface runoff sediments and nutrients have contributed to vegetative growth and alteration of the lake's natural conditions. This request is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it will provide sediment removal and the reestablishment and enhancement of fishery and aquatic habitat in the lake. Dredging the lake is necessary for removing sedimentation and creating areas with depths that will limit weed growth and provide a more balanced ecosystem.
Recipient:
Village of Homer
130 E. Main St.
PO Box 155
Homer, MI 49245
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Starr Commonwealth Battle Creek Parent-Referred Day Treatment Facilities Renovations
$900,000 - Transportation, Housing and Urban Development
These facility renovations will allow Starr to expand its successful programs for at-risk youth in Battle Creek. Currently, Starr’s Day Treatment program provides supervision and treatment for boys & girls who have been adjudicated. This request is a good use of taxpayer dollars because these renovations will allow Starr to expand its Day Treatment program to also accommodate youth referred by parents and teachers. Renovations include new classroom and conference room space, bathroom renovations, a new elevator, and office space for 18 new staff.
Recipient:
Starr Commonwealth Battle Creek Campus
155 Garfield Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49037
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Expansion of Starr Commonwealth Battle Creek Parent-Referred Day Treatment Program
$1,300,000 - Commerce-Justice-Science
This project is the expansion of Starr Commonwealth’s successful programming for at-risk youth in Battle Creek. Currently, Starr’s Day Treatment program provides supervision and treatment for boys and girls who have been adjudicated. With this funding Starr will be able to expand its Day Treatment program to also accommodate youth referred by parents and teachers and triple its overall program capacity for youth, providing training and support for more than 100 families a year. This request is a good use of taxpayer dollars because expanding this program will strengthen the community’s ability to address issues of increased violence, gang activity, and teen aggression. Expansion of Starr’s Day Treatment program will result in the addition of approximately 12 new employees at the Starr Commonwealth Battle Creek campus, in addition to the 29 employees currently there who would be retained. Starr currently has a total of 350 employees in Michigan, the majority of whom are located in the 7th Congressional District.
Recipient:
Starr Commonwealth Battle Creek Campus
155 Garfield Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49037
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Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy
$500,000 - Commerce-Justice-Science
This project will allow the Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy to meet increasing demand for its services by expanding into available space in Building #13 of the Battle Creek VA Medical Center. MichiganYouthChalleNGeAcademy is a public/private partnership that provides a voluntary, 22-week residential program for at-risk youth ages 16-19. The program is available to participants at no-cost and provides education in a disciplined, military-style environment.
This project will allow Youth ChalleNGe to make modifications and add necessary equipment to the available space to meet residential requirements. This request is a good use of taxpayer dollars because the Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy estimates that expansion of this successful program will create or retain 50 jobs in CalhounCounty.
Recipient:
Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy
5500 Armstrong Road Bldg
Battle CreekMI 49016
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Retooling Our Region for Automation and Alternative Energy
$795,000 - Labor Health and Human Services
This request is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it will expand Michigan’s trained workforce in the areas of advanced manufacturing and alternative energy. Kellogg Community College will deliver this program through its award winning Regional Training Center and using the innovative open entry/open exit delivery mode for the training. The Automation project will be a 30 credit hour certificate program aligned with national standards established by the Robotics Industry Association. The Alternative Energy project will be a 15 credit hour non-certificate, skill upgrade program to be combined with the Electricity/Electronics program.
This project also includes purchase by the College of welders, PLC (electronics) simulators, and CNC simulators for the College’s “Mobile Trainer Unit,” which will allow the College to move equipment throughout the region to meet demand for training in these specialized industrial trades areas.
Recipient:
Kellogg Community College
450 North Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49017
2010 Transportation Request
On behalf of Calhoun County, Mark has made the following request for funding in the 2010 surface transportation authorization bill:
Plan, design, and construct a new Downtown Transfer Station for public transit users in the Battle Creek, Michigan area, including engineering and design work, conducting environmental assessments, property acquisition, and construction.
This project will provide a safe, off-street facility, for bus riders to transfer to other buses. It will also help to clean up the proposed site, resulting in a safer environment for bus riders, employees, and other residents in the area. This project will compliment economic development efforts currently underway in the Battle Creek downtown area. It will support and enhance businesses and social services in the immediate area of the new facility.
Battle Creek Transit provides approximately 2,000 daily passenger trips to area residents. Many of these bus riders depend upon the city buses for their only means of transportation. This facility will provide closer access to governmental and social services for many bus riders.
Requested amount is $1,600,000.
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:
- Albion, $475,000
- Athens, $63,000
- Battle Creek, $1,766,000
- Bellevue, $70,000
- Harper Creek, $220,000
- Homer, $120,000
- Lakeview, $222,000
- Mar Lee, $27,000
- Marshall, $125,000
- Pennfield, $119,000
- Tekonsha, $28,000
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