Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has awarded almost $11 million of Disaster Funding to counties across Michigan, including Houghton County. On Monday, Whitmer announced that $10,997,209 from Michigan’s Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund would be spread out amongst 17 counties across the Upper and Lower Peninsula. The announcement comes after the state has had three state of emergency declarations in only 16 months. 

“Today’s disaster assistance will help Michiganders in 17 counties recover after tornadoes, flooding, and rapid snowmelt,” Whitmer said. “By declaring these disasters and working with our federal partners, we are making more state resources available to impacted areas more quickly and efficiently. Michiganders are tough, and we will rebuild and come back stronger the best way we know how–together.” 

The Upper Peninsula will be given $5,127,901 total for the issue of rapid snowmelt, with Houghton County getting $943,471.70. Baraga County and Ontonagon County will each receive $250,000, and Gogebic has been given $1,137,876. Houghton County plans to use the funding to fix their roads. 

“This is going to be 100% used on road funding,” said Houghton County administrator Ben Larson. “It is a reflection of a lot of work done by our Houghton County Road Commission Engineer Kevin Harju. He has worked on several projects, and with our municipalities to seek the funding and find matching projects from recent flooding…He deserves all the credit on this, and he has done the heavy lifting.” 

The Houghton County Road Commission will receive $500,000 out of the over $900,000 Houghton County is receiving. The rest will be split among Portage Township ($183,295), Calumet Township ($140,372) and Franklin Township ($22,541). 

“We are thankful for this Lansing investment into our county, and as the projects are completed and we get better infrastructure locally, the motorists and citizens should all benefit,” Larson added. 

In April 2023, Whitmer declared a state of emergency in eight U.P. Counties, including Baraga, Houghton, Gogebic and Ontonagon, because of rapid snowmelt as temperatures rose. Record levels of precipitation also led to damaged roads, bridges, and homes. It also damaged other infrastructure, such as sewer systems, dams and drinking water systems. The money the counties receive can be put towards costs related to a disaster, such as overtime pay for public employees, shelter supplies, contracts, and the repair of public buildings and roads.