The deadline to qualify for the next one-third of Economic Vitality Incentive Program (EVIP) funding is May 1, and the League is here to help. The Michigan Municipal League is having a free webinar 10-11 a.m. March 8 to help League member communities qualify for the next one-third of the EVIP funding.

This third and final step of the three-step EVIP process requires that by May 1, 2012, a local unit of government must develop an “employee compensation plan”. This plan must show the intent to implement a number of employee compensation criteria. This applies to any new, modified, or extended employment agreements for employees, who are not covered under an employment contract. View additional details about this requirement here.

Join the League, for this interactive webinar, which will focus on the third and final part of the EVIP on Employee Compensation, as well as PA152, and how to move forward. Go here to register for this free webinar. Webinar speakers include the League's Anthony Minghine, associate executive director and COO; and Heather Van Poucker, director of information and policy research. Those with questions about the webinar should contact the League's Katie Holda at kholda@mml.org or (734) 669-6352.

You can learn more about EVIP and other issues impacting Michigan's cities, villages and urban townships, during the League's annual Capital Conference taking place March 20-21 in Lansing. For details click here. To register for Capital Conference in time for the Feb. 23 early bird deadline, go here.

Matt Bach is director of communications for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at mbach@mml.org or (734) 669-6317.

The Michigan Department of Transportation joined 25 other states on August 6th in applying for a portion of the nearly $2.5 billion being made available by the Federal Railroad Administration for the second round of High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail funds that were announced in June.  The FRA plans to announce the grant winners by September 30, 2010.  In a press release sent out on Monday of this week, the FRA announced that it had received 77 applications from 25 states, requesting more than $8.5 billion for this round of funding.  http://www.fra.dot.gov/Pages/press-releases/217.shtml

For Michigan, MDOT submitted applications for more than $425 million worth of improvements along the Chicago to Detroit rail corridor.  The request is split among four projects that will involve infrasructure and capacity enhancements along the rail line between Kalamazoo and Dearborn and between Detroit and Pontiac.  Efforts to relieve congestion between passenger and freight rail traffic in the Detroit area and a new station in Ann Arbor are also included in the state's application.

A detailed summary of the application is attached.  Information and copies of the state’s applications can also be viewed at http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-11056_54467---,00.html.

The League is actively supporting  MDOT's efforts to secure this funding and is helping to coordinate support from the communities along each of the state's passenger rail routes and other interested communities to help bring about this critical investment in infrastructure and economic development.  Please let me know if you would like more information or would like to be involved.

 Chris Hackbarth handles transportation issues for the Michigan Municipal League.  Chris can be reached at 517-908-0303, or by email at chackbarth@mml.org.

Rail MDOT Round 2 HSIPR Applications Submitted.doc (55.00 kb)

Rail MDOT Application Support Letter_REVISED.doc (1,005.00 kb)

The MEDC has announced the availability of funding to non-entitlement communities of CBDG dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Eligible projects include hard development costs associated with infrastructure activities that provide basic services to residents or activities that promote energy efficiency and conservation through rehabilitation or retrofitting of existing buildings.

Priority will be given to projects that create and retain jobs, promote energy conservation, smart growth, green building technologies or reduced pollution emissions.  Communities may only submit one proposal and grant funds must be expended by September 30, 2012. Proposals are due by June 1.

Arnold Weinfeld covers federal issues for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.

The US Department of Agriculture has announced that Southwest Michigan Commuications received a $4.1 million loan and similar grant amount to provide advanced broadband services to residents in the Paw Paw area.  

With this award, Michigan has now received over $45 million through the Recovery Act to help provide broadband services throughout the state.  This includes $8.6 million to Chatham Telephone Company in the Upper Peninsula, $33 million the Merit Network to build middle mile connections throughout the state, and $1.8 million to the Michigan Public Service Commission to launch a broadband mapping initiative.

Arnold Weinfeld covers federal issues for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.