House Appropriations subcommittee hears local requests for harbors, parks, workforce and community facilities

Lansing — The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor and Economic Opportunity convened to hear a slate of locally directed funding requests from municipalities and nonprofit partners seeking state support for harbors, parks, workforce programs and community facilities.

Representatives heard presentations and questioned witnesses on a range of proposals, including a $2 million request to complete renovations at Tierney (Patrick) Park in Lexington, a $3.7 million request to modernize Port Salak’s municipal harbor, and a state match request to unlock Army Corps funding for a St. Joseph harbor deepening study. Presenters emphasized economic benefits, public‑safety needs and readiness to proceed if state funds are approved.

“The requested grant of $2 million will close the remaining gap on construction and allow the project to proceed as described,” said David Darita, president of the Tyranny Park Conservancy, describing planned park amenities and a pavilion tied to marina improvements. Joshua Robinson, executive director of the Santa County Community Foundation, noted the foundation has operated in the region since 1997 and is serving as the grantee for the Tierney Park portion of the project.

Port Salak’s manager, identified as Annie, told lawmakers the harbor’s electrical and ADA systems are long overdue for replacement and described safety problems including cloth wiring beneath docks and inadequate ground‑fault protection. “I am here asking for this money as I feel it is a need more than a want,” she said, urging phased work if full funding is not available.

For St. Joseph, Mayor pro tem Michael Fernandez said the city handled 56 commercial deliveries in 2025 totaling more than 317,000 tons and argued a federal study is needed before the U.S. Army Corps will commit to dredging. Committee members clarified that the current request is for a study and not dredging itself; Fernandez and other witnesses described the study cost at roughly $3–4 million with a $2 million federal share and a state/local match required to unlock Corps work.

Safety and navigation concerns were raised for the Black River, where Steve Besy of the Black Rivers Waterway Committee described rapid re‑silting at the river mouth and urged a $2.5 million investment for studies, permitting and construction of a dual rock jetty to restore reliable access and reduce recurring dredging. Besy said the DNR supports the concept and that current dredging efforts are repeatedly undone by sand accretion.

Workforce proposals included a roughly $2 million request to launch a Michigan biosciences apprenticeship pilot from the Michigan Biosciences Industry Association. Dr. Steven Rependalo described an employer‑linked apprenticeship curriculum and said cohorts of 20–30 apprentices are planned for years two and three. He told the committee the industry’s average compensation profile supports investment in training.

Other presenters sought funds for local development and workforce initiatives: a $1.3 million Jackson County Fairgrounds arena to expand agricultural education; $1.5 million toward a $6.4 million community college Workforce Solutions Center; $150,000 for Lean Rocket Lab to help small and medium manufacturers adopt advanced manufacturing technologies; and $500,000 to renovate a vacant building into transitional housing, an employment training center and a transportation hub to support rapid job placement for people exiting shelter services.

Committee members typically asked about backup plans if state funds are not awarded, how projects would be phased, funding matches (federal or local), and specifics such as electrical, timber and dredging costs. Presenters often said projects could be phased but that partial funding would make achieving the full vision slower or more costly.

No formal appropriations or final votes on the funding requests were recorded during the session; the subcommittee approved the prior meeting minutes at the outset but recessed without taking funding actions. Committee members indicated they will reconvene after session to continue business.

What’s next: Each request remains subject to appropriation decisions in subsequent committee or floor action. Several presenters asked lawmakers to consider state matching funds for federal programs (notably the Army Corps study for St. Joseph) and emphasized local and federal partners already committed to parts of the work.

Sources: Testimony and questions from members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor and Economic Opportunity; presenters and local officials including Joshua Robinson (Santa County Community Foundation), David Darita (Tyranny Park Conservancy), Annie (Port Salak harbor manager), Michael Fernandez (City of St. Joseph mayor pro tem), Steve Besy (Black Rivers Waterway Committee), Dr. Steven Rependalo (Michigan Biosciences Industry Association), Christina Johnston (Flint & Jennese Group COO), Kyle Lewis (Jackson County Parks Director), Brandon Markin (Lean Rocket Lab CEO) and Eric Rice (Drive Staffing Solutions).