I-94 From Detroit to Port Huron Slated as Alternative Fuel Corridor

Interstate 94 from Detroit to the Blue Water Bridge is one of the seven nominations for the new Alternative Fuel Corridors, or AFCs. The AFCs are routes that will eventually be part of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure in a multi-state network, taking advantage of funds from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The Michigan Department of Transportation will be in charge of implementing the AFCs, working with the Michigan Infrastructure Office. The goal is to use the funds on the routes that centered on the support of Electric Vehicle adoption and to relieve “range anxiety” for those who have invested in electric vehicles.

The I-94 corridor is on the list, along with I-275, I-696, and several northern Michigan corridors.

Chief Infrastructure Officer & Director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office, Zachary Kolodin, said, “This is an essential part of our future, and these nominations that have been submitted for the new AFCs are just another step we’re taking to make sure Michigan remains at the forefront of the mobility industry.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Grant Open for Port Huron Businesses Hiring New Employees

The St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance (EDA) has a grant opportunity available for businesses who need a boost to hire new employees. The Talent Attraction Grant can help eligible Port Huron businesses attract and retain employees.

The EDA has allocated $40,000 to the program, and funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis instead of being evaluated competitively. Businesses can request up to $2,000 total to allocate toward marketing their job openings, providing hiring bonuses or incentives to new employees, and providing incentives to current employees who refer a new hire.

Eligible businesses must have a physical location in the city of Port Huron, and the employees who benefit from the grant must also work in the city. Positions must be full time, at least 37.5 hours a week, and the program will focus on new hires who earn a low to moderate income. They also aim to support the hiring of those who are minorities, physically challenged, or financially disadvantaged.

The grant application is online, and the EDA will keep accepting applications until all funds are exhausted. Go to the grant application <HERE> for more information about eligibility and to apply.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

 

Spongy Moth Spraying Scheduled for Thursday, May 19, 2022

St. Clair County is planning to spray insecticide treatments aimed at suppressing Spongy Moths starting tomorrow, Thursday, May 19, 2002 beginning early in the morning.

Weather conditions are predicted to be optimal for aerial spraying, and A1’s Aerial Spraying LLC will be releasing insecticide on 5,300 acres around St. Clair County. If the weather conditions change, spraying will be rescheduled.

A1’s Aerial Spraying plans to release Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki) via airplanes on the tree canopies in areas most inhabited by Spongy Moth caterpillars. The insecticide is water-based and approved for use in certified organic food production.

Maps of the areas being treated are available here:

Spongy Moth Spray Areas

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Last Weekend to See The Hiding Place at The Citadel Stage

This is your last weekend to catch Enter Stage Right’s production of The Hiding Place at The Citadel Stage. The show started on May 6th , and the production has its last run on Sunday, May 22nd at 3 PM.

The Hiding Place is based on the life of Corrie ten Boom whose family provided shelter and safety for Jews during WWII in the Netherlands. The family used their home and watch shop as a refuge until they were discovered by the Gestapo and forced into a work camp.

The ten Boom family sacrificed their own safety to live out their Christian values, and Corrie wrote her family’s story in her book, The Hiding Place, in 1971.

Tickets are available for the George Christison production of The Hiding Place at the Citadel Stage for showings Friday and Saturday at 7 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.

Learn more here:

“The Hiding Place” by George Christison

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

CityFlatsHotel Boutique Hotel to Open in June

The CityFlatsHotel is gearing up for a mid-June opening of the 18-room boutique hotel. 

Cathy Mills, Managing Director of CityFlatsHotel, says, “It’s so exciting to see the progress that is taking place every day and to compare the uniqueness of each room. The colors and décor are very contemporary, and our amazing interior design team made sure that each room looks different from the others. With custom-made furnishings and bedding, guests who stay with us, again and again, will have a different experience in every room.”

Mills said that the unique rooms and modern décor are one of the reasons for their “Stay Different” motto. Rooms have views of downtown Port Huron or the Black River.

Port Huron’s Martin Construction completed renovations on the former Michigan National Bank building, built in 1927. The furnishings are designed by Charter House.

The building is also home to restaurants and a ballroom that seats 300 guests. It is located at 405 Water Street in downtown Port Huron.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

New Laws Put Newspaper Legal Notices Online for Free

Two new laws will require newspapers to publish legal notices, such as foreclosures, estate notices, public notices, advertisements to bid, public meeting notices, and others, online for free public access. Earlier this week, Lisa McGraw, Public Affairs Manager for the Michigan Press Association, said that the Association was thrilled that the bills were signed.

Newspapers will be prohibited from placing legal notices behind a pay wall. The bills are hoped to improve access to public information while maintain records that newspapers provide.

The sponsors of the Senate bills, Democrat Sylvia Santana of Detroit and Republican Curtis VanderWall of Ludington, called the legislation “overdue” and “meant to increase public transparency”.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland