MDOT awards grants to projects that will support jobs and investment in Osceola County and Bridgman

Fast facts:

• Two TEDF grants totaling $6.3 million have been awarded to the Osceola County Road Commission and the City of Bridgman.
• The grants will support 172 combined new and retained jobs and $1.3 billion of private investment.
• TEDF grants help finance public highway, road and street projects.

Lansing, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced today $6.3 million in two Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) grants that will support a total of 172 combined new and retained jobs and $1.3 billion of private investment in Osceola County and the city of Bridgman.

"TEDF grants are a great tool for communities to improve local roads while helping create jobs and economic opportunity," said State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich, P.E. "These 11 agencies will be able to resurface roads, improve intersections and address overall safety in areas where there are high commercial, customer and employee traffic."

TEDF grants help finance public highway, road and street projects that are critical to the movement of people and products, and get workers to their jobs, materials to growers and manufacturers, and finished goods to consumers.

Grant Recipient: Osceola County Road Commission
Michigan Potash and Salt Co. LLC will be building a new salt and potash mining facility at the Schofield Road/120th Avenue intersection near Evart, home to one of the highest-quality natural potash and salt deposits in the world. This facility will create 300 construction jobs and 129 full-time employees during operation. The company's investment in the development of the facility is $1.3 billion, and it is expected that 900,000 tons of salt and 650,000 tons of potash will be harvested each year. This development will strengthen and secure the supply of this critical mineral and natural fertilizer that only Michigan can supply domestically. Mining operations will benefit the community and provide this much-needed natural fertilizer to farmers, as well as provide a new source of road salt and home-use salt across the state.

The Osceola County Road Commission (OCRC) will rebuild 135th Avenue between 140th Avenue and Scofield Road, and Scofield Road between 135th Avenue and 120th Avenue. Both roads are currently gravel and are not sufficient for anticipated traffic needs of the company or the public. Both sections of roadway will be rebuilt to all-season standards.

"This critical road improvement will enable Michigan Potash and Salt Co. to advance development of its proposed potash plant, creating an estimated 129 new full-time jobs over the next three years, " said Mike Mattzela, P.E., manager of the OCRC. "The project represents a major investment in Osceola County and the region's economic future. Upgrading 135th Avenue and Schofield Road to all-season routes is a key component of the project's success, ensuring safe and reliable access for employees, truck traffic and local residents."

"Michigan Potash and Salt Co. is grateful to MDOT for enabling the road improvements associated with developing America's purest source of world-class potash and salt in Osceola County" said Aric Glasser, chief operating officer at Michigan Potash and Salt Co. "We look forward to developing this generational project, helping U.S. farmers and building the local community as we re-establish a potash industry in Michigan."

The overall cost of this road project is $9,797,084. The TEDF Category A share of the construction is $5,292,824, or 54 percent. OCRC is contributing $4,504,260 to the project, which accounts for 46 percent of the overall project cost.

Grant Recipient: City of Bridgman
Industrial Fabrication, located on Mathieu Street in the city of Bridgman, is a metal fabricator that supplies original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with parts for construction, agriculture and industrial markets. Industrial Fabrication has outgrown its facility in Bridgman and had considered taking its operations out of the state of Michigan due to the significant road condition concerns at their existing facility. The company worked with the City of Bridgman to see what options were available to improve the roads. This relationship gave Industrial Fabrication the confidence to invest $800,000 to expand their facility by adding two 9,000-square-foot warehouses, retaining 35 jobs in the state, as well as adding eight new employees.

"MDOT's investment in these critical road improvements will have a direct and meaningful impact on our ability to grow," said Brian Noland, Industrial Fabrication plant manager. "Reliable, efficient transportation infrastructure is essential to our operations, from receiving materials to delivering projects and welcoming customers. The upgraded roadway will reduce delays, improve safety and enhance accessibility, creating the conditions we need to expand our facility and add new jobs in the community. We are grateful for MDOT's and the City of Bridgman's partnership and commitment to supporting economic development across our region."

To improve safety and the reliability of access to Industrial Fabrication, the City of Bridgman will rebuild Willard Avenue from Red Arrow Highway to Mathieu Street and Mathieu Street from Willard Avenue to Lake Street. The work also will include upgrades to the sidewalk ramps with detectable warning surfaces, storm sewer, curb and gutter, and underdrain.

"The City of Bridgman is pleased to partner with MDOT, Industrial Fabrication, and the Bridgman CGA (Chamber and Growth Alliance), an affiliate of Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, to secure a Category A grant that supports Industrial Fabrication's expansion," said Debbie Lambrix, Bridgman city manager. "Improving Willard Avenue and Mathieu Street will upgrade these neighborhood streets to a reliable route for residents, employees and truck traffic accessing the Industrial Fabrication at the end of the roadway. This investment strengthens local business, supports good jobs and improves the road system for the people who travel it every day."

The total cost of this road project is $1,281,535. The TEDF Category A share of the construction is $1,025,228, or 80 percent. The City of Bridgman is contributing $256,307 to the project, which accounts for 20 percent of the overall project cost.

About Transportation Economic Development Fund Grants
Enacted in 1987 and reauthorized in 1993, TEDF "Category A" or "Targeted Industries Program" grants provide state funding for public roadway improvements that allow road agencies to respond quickly to the transportation needs of expanding companies and eliminate inadequate roadways as an obstacle to private investment and job creation. Eligible road agencies include MDOT, county road commissions, cities and villages. More information about the program is available online at www.Michigan.gov/TEDF.