Friday I had the opportunity to meet with the new Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) representative for our area and reviewed their newly announced grant programs.

These are programs for the state’s next fiscal year.

One of those programs is called the DIG program, which is focused on assisting downtowns with their infrastructure.

The program is designed to “provide public infrastructure improvement funding for areas located in a traditional downtown. Improvements can include projects in the downtown districts such as streets, roads, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, sewer, water, lighting, parking facilities, street furniture, landscaping and wayfinding.”

I was able to review a number of intersection improvements, parking lot improvement projects and lighting improvement projects, and received confirmation that these were the type of projects that qualify under the program.

The deadline for the grant application is Oct. 21.

Staff will begin to take the necessary steps to develop a quality grant application.

Health insurance
renewal quotes

We are now in receipt of the renewal quotes from Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
On average, we are seeing a 4-percent increase in the overall cost of health insurance premiums.

We are also reviewing other options as well as closely monitoring the state Legislature’s debate regarding a new requirement that all municipal employees share further in the cost of health care.

It is expected that we will hear from the state Legislature on Aug. 24.

Former ICG building
environmental cleanup

Progress continues to be made in a timely manner.
Last week, the demolition of the former office building on Poplar Street was completed.
Removal of this section of the building certainly changes the face of the structure and will provide an excellent visual cleanup to this industrial site.

GPS units in vehicles

This past week Fleetmatics was in town to install GPS units on 30 vehicles in the city’s fleet.
They expected to complete their work Friday and we should be operational this week.

114 S. Lowe St.

At its meeting on March 14, 2011, City Council deemed the structure at 114 S. Lowe St. a public nuisance. The owner was provided until July 31 to eliminate the nuisance.
Because the owner did not comply with that time frame, Merrill Excavating demolished the structure and final graded the lot.

M-51/M-62 repaving

Friday’s Dowagiac Daily News beat me to the punch regarding the M-51/M-62 repaving project.
The $400,000 project to resurface more than 1.5 miles of M-51/M-62 through Dowagiac, from Pokagon Street to W. Railroad Street/Depot Drive, is expected to be completed by Friday, Oct. 7. The project includes sidewalk ramp upgrades.
Traffic restrictions: single-lane closures under flag control.

21st annual Rod
and Roll Aug. 20

On Saturday, Aug. 20, Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce will host its 21st annual Rod and Roll Classic Auto Show.
In addition to the auto show, there will be a Lions Club pancake breakfast, afternoon barbecue, music from the 1950s and ’60s, Tailgate Treasures Flea Market and in-store games.

— City Manager
Kevin P. Anderson