Michigan Brings Home Billions of Dollars in Federal Funding for Transformational Infrastructure Projects

Michigan capitalizes on federal funding to improve infrastructure and clean energy resilience, create good-paying jobs and lower utility costs for families and businesses 

LANSING, Mich.—The Michigan Infrastructure Office is celebrating Infrastructure Week (May 13-17) by highlighting the billions of dollars of federal funding coming to the state, made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL,) the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), CHIPS and Science Act and support from those in the Michigan congressional delegation who supported these bills. These investments in roads and bridges, high-speed internet, water, public transit, electric vehicles, clean energy and more pave the way for enhanced connectivity, improved transportation and resilient infrastructure, creating a better quality of life for Michiganders now and for years to come.  

“Thanks to the Biden Administration and our congressional delegation, we are fixing infrastructure all over Michigan,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “From rebuilding our roads and bridges to expanding broadband access, these investments are part of our unwavering dedication to the well-being and prosperity of all Michiganders. Let’s continue to harness the power of collaboration and innovation to build a stronger, more resilient Michigan for future generations.”  

“I’m proud to have helped pass new laws to invest in our mid-Michigan infrastructure and create good-paying, union jobs,” said U.S. Congressman Dan Kildee. “These investments are helping improve our roads, bridges, and water systems, strengthen high-speed internet, and bring manufacturing jobs back to Michigan. While the last president proclaimed every week ‘Infrastructure Week,’ President Biden, Governor Whitmer, and a Democratic Congress delivered and are getting it done.” 

“We worked hard to secure funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act for critical projects in Michigan,” said U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. “With the historic investments in these bills, we’re getting the lead out of every pipe, fixing our roads and bridges, making sure all Michiganders have internet access, transitioning to a clean energy future, prioritizing communities that have historically been underserved, and more. I will continue to work with President Biden, Governor Whitmer, my colleagues in Congress, and all our partners to bring funds to our state to meet the most urgent needs and make life better for all our residents.” 

“Through landmark federal legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, we have made once-in-a-generation investments that are rebuilding Michigan and creating tens of thousands of good-paying, union jobs at the same time,” said U.S. Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin. “With billions of funds for everything from roads and bridges to water and broadband infrastructure, to new clean energy projects, these investments will pay dividends for generations to come and help bring our critical supply chains back to the U.S. I’m looking forward to the further implementation of these laws and the incredible, positive effects they’ll have for Michiganders.” 

“It’s not just infrastructure week, it’s the infrastructure decade. Thanks to President Biden’s leadership we’re investing in a new green economy in Michigan bringing clean water, air, and good-paying, clean jobs to our state,” said U.S. Congresswoman Haley Stevens. “I’m thrilled to see the latest slate of improvements announced this week investing in hydrogen infrastructure, clean drinking water, safe streets, and EV chargers. It’s another demonstration of how when we come together, we can build a new, bright future that brings everyone along.” 

“Here in Michigan, we know that EVERY week is Infrastructure Week,” said U.S. Congresswoman Hillary Scholten. “From rebuilding our roads and bridges to renovating our airports to expanding access to high-speed broadband, we’re bringing our state into the 21st century and creating thousands of jobs. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I’ll keep working to bring home the infrastructure investments that West Michigan needs and deserves.”  

“From expanding broadband access to improving our drinking water, President Biden’s policies are making real change in our home state,” said U.S. Congressman Shri Thanedar. “Progress like this is why I’m hard at work bringing the maximum amount of federal dollars back to our district!”  

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Paving the Way to Prosperity in Michigan’s Communities  

Passed in 2021, the BIL has created a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Michigan to improve its infrastructure by rebuilding roads, bridges and rails, expanding access to clean drinking water, ensuring every Michigander has access to high-speed internet, tackling the climate crisis, advancing environmental justice, and investing in communities that have too often been left behind. 

To date, Michigan has received more than $10.8 billion from the BIL that has been invested directly in communities across the state. Notable projects funded through the BIL include: 

• $1.5 billion from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program to expand access to high-speed internet in underserved or unserved communities 
• Up to $1 billion for the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen to develop regional supply chains for the production, distribution and use of hydrogen in trucks and heavy-duty vehicles
• $212.9 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Revolving Fund Grants to safeguard clean drinking water  
• $65 million in Safe Streets and Roads for All funding to improve roadways, reduce accidents and save lives 
• $23 million from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program to bolster the state’s EV charging infrastructure and make EVs more accessible 

“We are keenly aware that the need for investment in roads and bridges is as acute at the local level as it is for the state, and the Safe Streets and Roads for All funding is providing critical support for our counties, cities and villages. We are grateful to the Biden administration for this help,” said Bradley C. Wieferich, director of the Michigan Department of Transportation. “At the same time, supporting the needs for electric vehicle users remains a priority of our department as Michiganders continue the transition to EVs. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program will help us to support EV users as we work to install fast chargers at critical locations across the state.” 

Inflation Reduction Act: Driving Climate Resiliency to Reach the Goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan 

Passed in 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is the largest investment in climate and energy in American history. The legislation aims to tackle the climate crisis, advance environmental justice, create clean energy jobs and position the United States as a world leader in clean energy manufacturing. To date, billions of dollars in clean energy investments have been made in Michigan, helping to protect public health, safeguard natural resources, and reach the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan.  Notable projects funded through the IRA include:  

• $1.5 billion to restart the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Southwest Michigan 
• $156 million for the MI Solar for All Program to make rooftop solar more accessible to low-income households  
• $50 million from the Department of Energy for Nel Hydrogen to create a clean energy facility in Metro Detroit 

“As we navigate the complexities of the climate crisis, Michigan remains committed to safeguarding public health and preserving our precious natural resources,” said Phil Roos, director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. “By harnessing funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, we are fortifying our environmental defense, protecting the health and wellbeing of Michiganders, and fostering the growth of sustainable industries that create good-paying job opportunities in our communities. These endeavors are pivotal steps toward reaching the ambitious objectives outlined in the MI Healthy Climate Plan, propelling us toward achieving 100% carbon neutrality by 2050.” 

Because of the IRA, more good-paying, clean-energy jobs are coming to Michigan. Michigan leads the Midwest when it comes to the number of clean energy workers. The 2023 Clean Jobs America Report stated that clean energy businesses in Michigan added more than 5,400 workers in 2022 and now employ 123,983 Michiganders. According to the World Resource Institute, by the year 2040, the state could create 41,000 new jobs as it advances electric vehicle manufacturing and builds out renewable energy, like solar and wind.   

Mobilizing Michigan to Secure Federal Resources   

Michigan is making every effort to effort to secure federal dollars from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and CHIPS and Science Act. Under Governor Whitmer’s leadership, Michigan has launched: 

• The Michigan Infrastructure Office to increase state capacity to obtain and deploy federal infrastructure funding 
• The Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund, a $337 million pool of state dollars designed to maximize Michigan’s share of federal resources, making additional federally funded projects possible here in Michigan 
• The MIO Technical Assistance Center, which works with communities across the state to develop and submit projects for federal funding, ensuring that federal dollars are available even for communities that may lack the resources traditionally needed to obtain federal funding  
• The Michigan High-Speed Internet Office, which is designed to ensure every household and community institution in Michigan has access to high-speed internet, closing the digital divide 
• The Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation, which works to expand investments from the U.S. Department of Defense in the state

Tasked by Governor Whitmer with coordinating state activities in pursuit of federal funding opportunities, the MIO is driving collaboration with departments across state government. 

“By applying for and winning federal funding, and empowering our communities to do the same, we’re doing more than fixing the damn roads; we’re moving toward a more prosperous, sustainable future—one where our roads are smoother, public transit is modernized, our communities stronger and our opportunities limitless,” said Zachary Kolodin, Michigan’s chief infrastructure officer and director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. “These investments, made possible by the Biden Administration and Governor Whitmer’s leadership, are helping us ensure that every Michigander has access to the resources and 21st Century infrastructure they need to lead healthy, happy lives, including access to broadband, clean drinking water, safe roads and clean energy.” 

For more information about how federal funding is being invested to improve Michigan’s infrastructure, please visit michigan.gov/whitmer/issues/michigan-infrastructure-office.   

ABOUT THE MICHIGAN INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICE  

The Michigan Infrastructure Office 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.