In first six months in office, Arbit secures more funding for Greater West Bloomfield/Commerce region in FY 2024 state budget than communities received in entire previous decade
LANSING, Mich., June 28, 2023 — Today, the Michigan Legislature passed a historic state budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year. State Rep. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) advocated for and secured a record $1.6 million in state investments in Michigan’s 20th House District, with funding allocated for vital infrastructure projects in Commerce Township and the city of Keego Harbor. Communities represented by Arbit received more investments in the fiscal 2023-24 state budget than they did in the entire previous decade.
Included in the 2023-24 budget is a $1 million infrastructure grant to Commerce Township to enable pedestrian access to the Commerce Township Community Library, increasing accessibility and public safety to a major community asset in the heart of Commerce.
Also included in the 2023-24 budget is a $500,000 infrastructure grant to the city of Keego Harbor to make critical repairs and reconstruction of the Willow Beach Street residential bridge, alleviating a severe safety and traffic hazard for residents of east-central Keego Harbor. Additionally, the budget includes a $100,000 grant to the city of Keego Harbor for recreational water safety.
“I ran for state representative because I was tired of seeing my community left out of the policymaking conversations in Lansing,” Arbit said. “Today, I proudly voted for a state budget that not only reflects the values of the people of West Bloomfield, Commerce, and the Lakes by supporting families, kids, and seniors, but also makes significant, forward-thinking investments to improve our critical infrastructure right here in Keego Harbor and Commerce.”
“Too often, elected officials overlook small communities like Keego Harbor, but not Noah Arbit. Noah Arbit promised that he would not forget about us in Lansing, and he has stayed true to his word. Rep. Arbit has been as relentless, committed, and attentive a partner and advocate for Keego Harbor as I could ever have hoped,” Keego Harbor Mayor Rob Kalman said. “The Willow Beach Street bridge has been in need of significant repair for some time, and the grant secured by Rep. Arbit will enable us to finally initiate the necessary reconstruction to ensure the safety of our residents.”
“Facilitating pedestrian access to the Library will allow more residents to access this incredible community asset, and strengthen Commerce’s status as a world-class community attracting families and businesses alike,” Commerce Township Supervisor Larry Gray said. “This project has been discussed for many years, and is a key piece of our future pathway network. It goes to show, that when you work together, great things can happen! I am grateful to Representative Arbit for securing this critical funding, and for his continued advocacy and leadership on behalf of Commerce Township.”