George James

U of M Flint Awarded Grant for College of Innovation and Technology

The U.S. Secretary of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration is awarding a $3.8 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance Grant to U of M Flint. The money is intended to be used to construct the university’s new College of Innovation and Technology.

University of Michigan-Flint Chancellor Deba Dutta said, ““Thank you to the U.S. Economic Development Administration for their support for a new College of Innovation and Technology building at UM-Flint.“

Dutta went on to say, “This catalytic investment in support of innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology development will serve as the entryway for industry and community partners to advance economic growth in the region. 

Dutta said the University is grateful to the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and other UM-Flint partners “for their generous financial support of this transformational project.”

The investment is expected to create 126 jobs, retain 175 jobs, and generate $10.4 million in private investment. Readying the region for Industry 4.0, the next level of technology in modern industry is behind the investment.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

$70 Billion State Budget Signed

Michigan’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget has been signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The fiscal year starts on October 1st.

The budget has a $70 billion bottom line with major expenditures going into childcare affordability initiatives, workforce training, affordable healthcare, environment, and infrastructure.

State Senator Dan Lauwers, a Brockway Township Republican, said that the budget plan deposits $500 million in the state’s rainy-day fund and $150 million in the unemployment trust fund to increase its solvency due to fraudulent benefit payments. He said he was pleased with the budget as presented to the Governor because it was balanced “with minimal federal funding”.

 The budget has some line items for St. Clair and Sanilac counties. State Representative Andrew Beeler, a Port Huron Republican, said that the new budget provides funding for Mid-City Nutrition Soup Kitchen, Sanilac County Parks, and a Fort Gratiot campground.

 Whitmer, a Democrat, signed the budget but vetoed several provisions that she deemed unconstitutional and seven items that she saw as a threat to abortion rights.

 Links to the Senate and House budget bills:  SB 82 and HB 4400

 Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sanilac County Granted $200,000 to Help Children in Need 

Sanilac County at-risk children are the big winners with the announcement of a $200,000 grant from the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund. The money has been awarded to the Sanilac Intermediate School District’s Parents As Teachers Home Visiting Program. 

The grant will be spread out over four years and will be used to enhance and grow the program. According to the Sanilac ISD, the program utilizes the Strengthening Families Framework to empower families with parenting and developmental knowledge, social connections, resilience tools, and concrete support in times of need. 

The Michigan’s Home Visiting Initiative’s 2020 Home Visiting Needs Assessment reported, “Home visiting could positively impact many outcomes of certain areas of Sanilac County. Home visiting and other parenting education supports are limited but needed considering parenting risk factors in the county such as lower levels of education and use of substances. Additionally, 40% of children have experienced two or more Adverse Child Experiences, and the rate of child maltreatment is higher in Sanilac than the state average.”

There are currently 21 children enrolled in the program.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Theresa Winters Faraway Places Travel Travel with Kids

Local Travel Agent Theresa Winters Offers Tips for Single Parents Traveling with Kids

Local travel agent Theresa Winters was recently featured in The Compass Magazine where she shared some valuable tips for single parents who are traveling with children.

With a lot of pent-up demand for travel after a year and a half of closures and restrictions, vacationing and exploring new places are on a lot of families’ to-do lists.

In the interview, Winters, owner of Port Huron’s Faraway Places Travel, said that every trip is a learning experience when adjusting to traveling solo with kids.

Winters said, “We, as single parents, need an additional sense of ease. Most times, we’re outnumbered by children, which can easily make us feel stressed and overwhelmed. A travel advisor should focus on the ages of the children so their particular needs are met.”

As both a travel advisor and a single parent herself, Winters suggests letting kids help plan trips so they have a bit of a say in the activities. She also suggests road trips instead of flying as ways for single parents to save money.

Winters says all-inclusive resorts are a great option for single parents traveling with children as they have amenities onsite.

https://viewer.joomag.com/compass-summer-2021-master/0846492001627334402/p74?short&fbclid=IwAR0lsrGpzO5qisbm5u9CecM1FcA51ryFJ8gE1Jdqr1tSbQ7cMbWDhfSvDxA

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McMorran Ready to Rock with Styx November 4th 

The band Styx is coming to Port Huron. The rock band that got started in the 1970s will be rocking McMorran Arena on Thursday, November 4th at 8:00 p.m.

This is the actual band Styx, not a cover band. They are known for 1970s hits like “Come Sail Away” and “Babe” and 1983’s “Mr. Roboto”. Styx’s most popular song was 1978’s “Renegade”.

The members of Styx are mostly in their 60s and 70s, and they are still actively making music and touring the country.. The tour that is coming to Port Huron coincides with the release of their latest album, Crash of the Crown.

It’s been a while since McMorran has had a big show. They hosted some big shows like Third Eye Blind and Newsboys over the past fifteen years or so, but this is the first post-shutdown big show that is sure to draw a sell-out crowd.

Tickets go on sale October 1st through the McMorran Box Office. Prices start at $55. They can be bought online or at the box office with no additional fees.

McMorran has a full schedule of entertainment on the calendar for the rest of the year. Go to mcmorran.com for the details.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Home Heating Credits Mailed to Michigan Households

Checks are in the mail for families and individuals who qualify for the Home Heating Credit. The checks are for $100 or $200 depending on circumstances.

Over 178,600 households are getting the one-time payment. The recipients are the ones who got the Home Heating Credits for the 2020 tax year. The money is coming from the Fiscal Year 2021 federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

There’s still time to apply for the credit, but not much. Applications need to be turned in by September 30th. State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said, “There is still time to apply for the Home Heating Credit. You don’t have to file an individual income tax return to receive the credit. Please don’t wait and submit your application today.”  

According to a press release, households with seniors, disabled individuals, or children under 5 years old are receiving $200. Other eligible households are receiving $100.

The Home Heating Credit application form can be obtained at www.michigan.gov/taxes.  Additional information can be found on the Home Heating Credit website. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland