Report on Mid-Michigan Infrastructure Funding Requests and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

Federal funding requests have been submitted through the Community Project Funding Initiative for inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget to address critical infrastructure needs in Mid-Michigan. As advocated by Representative Kristen McDonald Rivet, these projects are designed to enhance public safety, stimulate job creation, and promote sustainable economic development. The proposed initiatives align directly with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Analysis of Proposed Projects and SDG Contributions

1. Bay County Road Commission: State Park Drive Revitalization

   This project involves resurfacing State Park Drive and implementing significant safety upgrades, including improved signage, lane markings, commercial access points, and sidewalks.

   • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The project directly contributes to developing quality, reliable, and resilient regional infrastructure by upgrading a key transportation artery.
   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By improving road and pedestrian safety features, the initiative works towards providing access to safe and sustainable transport systems for all.
   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The project is expected to create local construction jobs and support sustained economic growth by improving a vital commercial corridor.
   • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The project is noted as an example of effective interagency and public/private cooperation.

2. Bridgeport Charter Township: Fire Station Modernization

   A request to repair and expand the Bridgeport fire station to meet the demands of modern emergency response and improve safety for personnel.

   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Upgrading the facility enhances the township’s capacity for emergency response, making the community safer and more resilient.
   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The modernization will protect firefighters from occupational hazards, including carcinogens and biohazards, ensuring their health and safety.
   • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: This project involves upgrading critical public safety infrastructure to address deterioration and meet contemporary standards.

3. Genesee County Land Bank Authority: Blight Elimination Program

   This initiative seeks to eliminate blighted and hazardous structures throughout the county to improve public health, safety, and economic prospects.

   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The removal of hazardous structures makes neighborhoods safer, reduces crime, and supports inclusive and sustainable urbanization by preparing land for new housing and economic development.
   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: By eliminating blighted properties, the project directly protects the health and safety of residents from environmental and physical hazards.
   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The program creates employment and helps restore property values, contributing to the local economy.

4. Genesee County Road Commission: Frances Road Bridge Replacement

   This project will replace the deteriorating Frances Road Bridge to restore a key transportation link within the community.

   • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The core of this project is replacing aging infrastructure to ensure a safe, reliable, and resilient transportation network.
   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Reopening this corridor will improve safety, reduce travel times, and enhance connectivity between neighborhoods.
   • SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The project supports local agriculture by providing farmers with a more efficient and reliable route to transport crops.

5. Saginaw Valley State University: Regional Economic Development

   A proposal to develop over 200 acres of land adjacent to the university to attract investment and foster economic growth.

   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The primary goal is to promote sustained and inclusive economic growth by creating an environment attractive to new businesses, jobs, and housing, with a potential economic impact exceeding $100 million.
   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The development aims to improve the area’s aesthetics and could include new housing, contributing to the creation of an inclusive and sustainable community.
   • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The project lays the groundwork for future infrastructure development that will support new commercial and residential activities.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

Explanation

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article repeatedly emphasizes job creation and economic development as key outcomes of the proposed infrastructure projects. Phrases like “create jobs,” “bring good-paying jobs to the region,” and fostering “long-term economic development” directly connect to this goal. The Saginaw Valley State University project, for instance, is projected to lead to “over $100 million in economic development.”
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – This is the central theme of the article. The funding requests are specifically for improving infrastructure, including replacing “crumbling roads,” repairing bridges (“replace the Frances Road Bridge”), and upgrading public facilities (“repair and expand Bridgeport’s fire station”). The goal is to build “rock solid,” safe, and reliable infrastructure to support the community and economy.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The article highlights several projects aimed at making communities in mid-Michigan safer, more resilient, and sustainable. This includes improving public safety through better emergency response facilities, enhancing road safety for drivers and pedestrians (“improve driver and pedestrian safety”), eliminating “blighted and hazardous structures” to protect residents, and developing land to make the community “more attractive to investment” and “more beautiful for the residents.”

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Explanation

1. Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. The article directly supports this target by stating the projects will “create jobs,” specifically “local construction jobs” and “good-paying jobs.”
2. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being. The entire article is focused on this target, with specific projects listed, such as resurfacing State Park Drive, replacing the Frances Road Bridge, and expanding the Bridgeport fire station to ensure they are safe and meet modern demands.
3. Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. The Genesee County Land Bank Authority’s request to “eliminate blighted and hazardous structures” directly addresses this by improving the safety of neighborhoods and supporting “housing development.”
4. Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety. The Bay County Road Commission’s project aims to “resurface the State Park Drive and make safety upgrades that includes better signage, clearly marked lanes… and improved sidewalks.” The replacement of the Frances Road Bridge also aims to “improve safety” and “reduce travel times.”
5. Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected… caused by disasters… with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations. The project to “repair and expand Bridgeport’s fire station to meet the demands of modern emergency response” is a direct measure to enhance community safety and disaster preparedness, helping the crew “respond to fires more quickly and more efficiently.”

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Explanation

1. Job Creation: The article implies a direct indicator through the number of “local construction jobs” and “good-paying jobs” created by the infrastructure projects.
2. Economic Growth: Progress can be measured by the amount of economic development generated, as mentioned in the Saginaw Valley State University project which “could lead to over $100 million in economic development.”
3. Infrastructure Improvement: Specific, measurable projects serve as indicators, such as the “resurfacing of the State Park Drive,” the “replacement of the Frances Road Bridge,” and the “repair and expansion of Bridgeport’s fire station.”
4. Community Safety and Health: Indicators include the “elimination of blighted and hazardous structures,” improved road safety features (“better signage, clearly marked lanes, improved sidewalks”), and enhanced protection for firefighters from “carcinogens and biohazards.”
5. Land Development: A quantifiable indicator is the “development of over 200 acres of land” next to Saginaw Valley State University.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wnem.com