Michigan Infrastructure Office: Governor Whitmer’s Budget Highlights the Importance of Investing in Infrastructure 

LANSING, Mich – The Michigan Infrastructure Office (MIO) today released the following statement from Chief Infrastructure Officer Zachary Kolodin in response to the passage of the FY24 budget, which allocates hundreds of millions of dollars toward enhancing Michigan’s infrastructure, accelerating renewable energy initiatives and fostering high-tech opportunities that will bolster the state’s global competitiveness. 

“Governor Whitmer's commitment to building a resilient, sustainable and competitive Michigan is unmatched,” said Chief Infrastructure Officer Kolodin. “The Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund puts Michigan in pole position to continue to lead in the deployment of federal dollars to revitalize our infrastructure and create clean jobs. MIO looks forward to developing guidance for the administration of this fund so that we can make a better, clean jobs-powered future right here in Michigan.”  

The Michigan Infrastructure Office applauds the following initiatives in particular, which represent key pieces of Governor Whitmer’s infrastructure plan:   

• $337 million for the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund to maximize the deployment of federal infrastructure, climate, and advanced manufacturing dollars here in Michigan.

• $5 million for a battery recycling research hub to ensure that the road to sustainable EV batteries runs through Michigan

• $70 million for capital investments to improve regional rapid transit to catalyze economic growth and support the Healthy Climate goal of increasing transit use to decarbonize the transportation sector 

• $3 million for MI Contracting Opportunity to improve small business access to federal infrastructure contracts, working to ensure that opportunities to build wealth through successful infrastructure projects are distributed equitably. opportunities 

• $80 million for a local bridge bundling program to help local governments fix more than 20 bridges, reconnecting parts of communities across the state

• $6.6 million to speed up the permitting process, help build infrastructure projects faster and power economic development

• Nearly $600 million for water infrastructure across Michigan, helping replace thousands of lead service lines, rebuild sewers and much more

• $43 million for grid resiliency to reduce power outages during extreme weather events

• More than $1.5 billion (4th highest in the nation) through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program to expand high-speed internet access to over 200,000 Michiganders in unserved and underserved areas across the state

Investing in Transformational Infrastructure Projects  

Under the visionary leadership of Gov. Whitmer, Michigan continues to prioritize investments in infrastructure, recognizing its critical role in promoting economic growth, creating jobs and improving quality of life for all Michiganders. $70 million in capital investments in regional rapid transit will improve public transportation and spur the development of thriving and safe communities along major transportation corridors.   

Creating a Cleaner, Brighter Future for Michigan   

The budget’s focus on renewable energy, specifically the investment of $5 million to create a battery recycling research hub, aligns with the MI Healthy Climate Plan to achieve economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050. By investing in next-generation technologies to make the EV industry more sustainable and resilient, Michigan can assure its place in the next-generation mobility and energy economy. This investment lays the foundation to grow an EV battery recycling industry in Michigan, creating hundreds of good-paying clean jobs—from skilled jobs that don’t require a degree to careers in advanced engineering and science. 

Increasing Michigan’s Global Competitiveness to Bring Jobs Back to the State   

The budget’s emphasis on creating high-tech opportunities and capturing federal funding demonstrates Michigan’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of technological advancements and global competitiveness. The $337 million for the Make It In Michigan Competitiveness Fund will create clean jobs by bringing more federally-funded infrastructure projects, clean energy deployments, and advanced manufacturing projects back to the state. By supporting the development and adoption of emerging technologies Michigan can foster an ecosystem that attracts high-skilled talent, nurtures entrepreneurship and drives economic diversification. This strategic investment in technology will position Michigan as a hub for innovation while propelling the state's economic growth and long-term prosperity.  

Investing in Equitable Growth  

The investment of $3 million in the MI Contracting Opportunity plan is a seed investment to support the development of capital support programs that will enable smaller businesses to participate in the development of next-generation Michigan infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The unprecedented federal investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is supporting the growth of new infrastructure businesses across the country – this investment helps ensure that infrastructure business entrepreneurs have the capital and technical support they need to grow their businesses and ultimately win state contracts. By rebuilding Michigan, we are building wealth equitably across communities.    

ABOUT THE MICHIGAN INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICE
The Michigan Infrastructure Office (MIO) is responsible for organizing and executing Governor  Whitmer’s vision for infrastructure, coordinating across state government, marshaling resources, and partnering with local officials, federal partners, and outside stakeholders to ensure resources sent to Michigan through BIL, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), are used efficiently and effectively.   

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