Whitmer Administration Announces Bipartisan Infrastructure Grants for Michigan’s Small Communities

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that 39 villages and cities across Michigan, each with populations under 10,000, will receive Community Service Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) Category B grants for road repair and maintenance projects. The grants, administered by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), represent a bipartisan commitment to supporting small communities that often lack the tax base or resources for large-scale infrastructure improvements.

The CSIF program, created by the Legislature in 2018, was designed as a stop-gap measure to help smaller municipalities fund critical road work. Successful applicants were chosen based on coordination with other infrastructure projects, partnerships with local agencies, and plans that extend the life of existing roads.

Governor Whitmer emphasized the importance of teamwork across party lines to deliver tangible improvements to Michiganders’ daily lives. “I ran on fixing the damn roads, and I’m proud to keep my promise and get it done,” she said. “This year’s balanced, bipartisan budget makes a record nearly $2 billion annual investment to fix our state and local roads, which will make everyone’s drive safer and faster. I’m so grateful to legislators on both sides of the aisle for coming together to get this done so we can build reliable roads that last for decades while supporting tens of thousands of good-paying local jobs.”

Bipartisan Funding for Local Infrastructure

The 2026 CSIF Category B grant awards range from $50,000 to $250,000 per project, funding road resurfacing, culvert replacement, pavement crack sealing, and other preservation work. Projects were selected from communities spanning nearly every region of Michigan, ensuring that both urban-adjacent towns and rural villages receive attention.

Recipients include the Village of Elk Rapids in Antrim County ($235,935), the City of Au Gres and City of Standish in Arenac County (each receiving $250,000), the Village of Nashville in Barry County ($137,500), and the City of Bronson in Branch County ($199,155). Other notable awards include $250,000 each for Eaton Rapids, Lowell, Negaunee, Portland, Lake Odessa, and Marine City, among others.

These grants are part of a broader bipartisan infrastructure effort championed by both Democratic and Republican legislators. By combining local matching funds with state assistance, the program ensures projects are completed efficiently and coordinated with other essential upgrades such as water, sewer, and drainage improvements.

Commitment to Small Communities

The CSIF Category B program has a long history of bipartisan support, having been enacted in 1987 and reauthorized in 1993 to provide small communities with critical funding for road and street projects. These improvements help move people and products across Michigan, connecting local economies and supporting small businesses.

The 2026 grant cycle continues that tradition by prioritizing projects that serve as key transportation routes for residents, farmers, and manufacturers. These roads ensure goods reach markets efficiently and workers can commute safely.

Communities like Hillman, Northport, Mayville, and Chelsea will use the funding to address long-standing infrastructure needs that otherwise would have remained unfunded. For many of these local governments, the CSIF grant program is one of the few state-level mechanisms available to finance road preservation efforts.

Building Michigan’s Future Together

Governor Whitmer’s announcement highlights how bipartisan collaboration can produce direct, visible benefits in communities of all sizes. Through shared commitment between the Legislature and the executive branch, Michigan continues to invest in safer roads, local job creation, and sustainable infrastructure solutions.

“These projects show what we can achieve when we work together,” Whitmer said. “By investing in our local roads today, we’re building a stronger Michigan for tomorrow.”