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Alpena County committee backs $72,000 CDBG urgent‑needs grant to buy emergency generators
Summary
The Finance Ways & Means Committee recommended adoption of Resolution #25-09 to seek $72,000 from the Michigan CDBG Urgent Needs Program for generators after a March 2025 ice storm; the vote was unanimous and officials said the county is awaiting MEDC guidance on using funds for a single APlex generator.
The Alpena County Finance Ways & Means Committee on June 10 recommended adoption of Resolution #25-09 to apply for $72,000 through the Michigan Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Urgent Needs Program to help the county replace or procure emergency generators damaged or needed after the March 28–30, 2025 ice storm.
Emergency Management & E911 Director Kim Elkie told the committee that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation has allocated $72,000 to Alpena County under the program and that she is awaiting MEDC guidance on whether those funds may be applied to the purchase of one large generator to serve the APlex as a centralized emergency shelter. "We have been allocated $72,000 in a community development block grant to use for generators," Elkie said during the public hearing.
Major Preeza Morrison of the Salvation Army spoke in support of the application, urging the county to plan for a centrally located shelter people will know to use during disasters. "We need to pre plan for a centrally located shelter for people to come to during a disaster," Morrison said in public comment.
The committee voted to adopt Resolution #25-09 (motion by Commissioner William LaHaie, supported by Commissioner Bill Peterson). The roll-call tally recorded AYES: LaHaie, Ludlow, Bray, Peterson, Foumier, Britton, Kozlowski; NAYS: none; Commissioner Travis Konarzewski was excused. The adopted resolution designates the chair as the Environmental Review Certifying Officer and authorizes signatures necessary to submit and implement the CDBG application and grant agreement.
County staff said next steps are to await formal MEDC confirmation on eligible uses (including whether the APlex generator purchase is allowable) and then to execute the application and grant paperwork per the resolution. No additional funding sources were approved at the meeting; staff will report back when the MEDC response and any procurement details are available.
