Page 22 - LRCC April 2022 Focus

ADVOCACY FOCUS MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

Lansing Regional Chamber Commends Congressional

Delegation for Securing Funds for Regional Priorities

he Lansing Regional Chamber of
Commerce (LRCC) commends
Tthe region’s congressional
delegation for its bipartisan efforts to
successfully secure funding for several
key projects that have been among
the LRCC’s highest regional priorities.
The bipartisan government funding
bill for fiscal year 2022 includes funds
for a cargo ramp expansion at Capital Peters Stabenow Slotkin Moolenaar
Region International Airport, aid to help
manufacturers compete globally, workforce training and Other items in the legislation the LRCC has advocated
development and additional infrastructure funding. for in recent years include $158 million for the
Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), which
“These projects are critical for our region’s ability to upgrade provides technical assistance to small and medium-
our infrastructure, develop our workforce and compete sized manufacturers to enable them to compete
more effectively in the global economy,” said Tim Daman, globally, support greater supply chain integration
president and CEO, LRCC. “We truly appreciate the hard and provide access to information, training and
work of our entire congressional delegation, especially technologies; $2.9 million for workforce innovation and
U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, and opportunity state grants; $235 million for registered
Representatives Elissa Slotkin and John Moolenaar. Our apprenticeships. l
region is fortunate to have congressional representatives
who are willing to work in a bipartisan fashion to support the
critical needs of the Lansing region and state of Michigan.”

Among the items of local importance in the legislation
is the Capital Region International Airport receiving $8.1
million to expand its existing cargo ramp. The expansion will
better position the airport to move higher cargo volumes
domestically and internationally. Additionally, the City of
Lansing received $1 million to modernize traffic signals
and implement signal communications on the Michigan
Avenue corridor to enable transit priority, emergency vehicle
pre-emption, special event timing plans, and establish a
framework to support autonomous and connected vehicles.

“Capital Regional International Airport has already
established itself as a leader in supply chain logistics,
most notably with the presence of a regional hub for
UPS and the 200 jobs it provides,” said Daman. “There is
considerable opportunity for growth as evidenced by the
recent decision by Amazon to construct a million-square-
foot fulfillment center in Delta Township. Our region needs
to capitalize on this opportunity and continue to invest in
growing our local airport.”

"Continued investment in the Michigan Avenue corridor
is important to our region's future economic growth,"
said Daman. "This investment further enhances the
economic importance of the Michigan Avenue corridor and
establishes new opportunities for further commercial and
residential development.”

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