August Primary Election Update
Thank you, Midland County voters, for approving all five millage questions on the August Primary Election ballot:
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- Spongy Moth Suppression
- Services to Older Citizens
- School Resources Officers
- Roads
The Midland Business Alliance was proud to officially support all five millage renewals, because we believe that fiscal stability in government is essential to the growth of the private sector and supports efforts to increase economic development opportunities through business growth and quality of life enhancements. Thank you again to Midland voters for your support, too!
The Primary Election results on a statewide level proved to be a bit more dramatic, and it's no exaggeration to say our state is now garnering national attention with upcoming elections. The Michigan Chamber of Commerce provides a great recap of the Primary Election results here.
November General Election Update
As we turn our attention to the November 3rd General Election, we want to highlight two critical ballot questions Midland County voters will see on their ballots:
Midland Public Schools sinking fund proposal: This is a 1.5-mill, 10-year sinking fund to support school safety, security, and infrastructure improvements such as secure entry systems, cameras, playground upgrades, roofing, heating and cooling systems, and other facility needs. Unlike a bond, the sinking fund would not involve borrowing money or paying interest.
Meridian Public Schools bond proposal: The proposal would extend the current millage levy of 7.0 mills by five years, beginning in 2032, to raise $13,900,000 to accomplish essential upgrades to keep students "safe, warm, and dry."
The Midland Business Alliance Board of Directors has already voted to officially support both proposals. You can read about it here. We encourage voters to learn all they can about the proposals and make an informed decision about how they will vote on November 3rd.
And remember, you can utilize absentee ballot or early in-person voting:
- If you aren't already on the permanent absentee ballot list, you can request one here
- Early in-person voting will begin on Saturday, October 24th and run through Sunday, November 1st. In Midland County, early voting locations include Greater Midland Community Center and Coleman City Hall.
Need To Knows
Update on the Great Lakes Tunnel
As our regular readers will recognize, the Midland Business Alliance has long advocated for securing the necessary approvals and permits to begin construction of the Great Lakes Tunnel, which will protect our lakes and natural resources while simultaneously creating jobs and ensuring the state’s energy supply.
We've often provided updates about the project in Policy Sneak Peek, and this edition includes two important updates:
First, on July 31st, the Michigan Supreme Court essentially sent the Great Lakes Tunnel project back to the Michigan Public Service Commission for further review, citing deficiencies in the Commission’s environmental and alternatives analysis. The decision does not itself permanently halt the tunnel project, but creates another significant hurdle for Enbridge’s plan to relocate Line 5 beneath the Straits of Mackinac.
Second, on August 12th, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued a federal permit for activities associated with construction of the four-mile Great Lakes Tunnel. The USACE said its review complied with applicable federal environmental, water, historic preservation, endangered species and Tribal trust requirements, and concluded the project had been thoroughly evaluated and would protect natural resources.
Bridge Michigan did a great job summarizing where the entire project stands in their August 20th article.
The Midland Business Alliance has consistently voiced our strong support for the establishment of the Great Lakes Tunnel, including our latest public statement made to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy on June 18th.
Don't Get Scammed
The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) is warning employers and workers about a phone scam in which callers falsely claim to be UIA representatives and promise to help recover unpaid unemployment benefits in exchange for a fee. The UIA emphasizes that it will never charge a fee to process or release unemployment benefits.
Similar scams have been reported in other states.
Businesses and individuals must exercise caution in response to unsolicited calls requesting payment or personal information. The UIA recommends not providing sensitive information to unexpected callers, avoiding links in unsolicited emails, and reporting suspected scams. Questions about unemployment benefits should be directed through the UIA’s official channels, such as the agency’s Customer Service hotline at 1-866-500-0017. Or, utilize the Report Fraud or Identity Theft links found through this UIA webpage.
Getting Around—Still!—in Downtown
City drivers are noticing plenty of road construction projects this summer! One of those is the reconstruction of some of the one-way thoroughfares and key arteries in Midland's downtown. This lengthy Michigan Department of Transportation project is moving right along, and features Tetris-like, continual rearrangement of road barricades and construction equipment. But, overall, it's going very well and drivers are still getting around in downtown!
Just a friendly reminder, the City of Midland offers this great webpage for the latest on detours and project status. The information is continually updated. Check it out before you head downtown, so you know exactly what to expect. Thanks to City of Midland and MDOT for the continual updates!