Big Investments & Valuable Connections

Mar 13, 2024 | Email

Friends and Neighbors,

I’m excited to share several major investments in our 35th Senate District that were announced since I last wrote you. From clean energy jobs to housing, internet expansion and more, these investments will provide opportunities for our working families to thrive and foster economic growth for years to come. 

As always, if you or someone you know would like to provide feedback about state legislative developments, invite us to learn about organizations doing important work in our district, or needs assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to my office.

Sincerely,

Kristen McDonald Rivet
State Senator, District 35
(517) 373-1725 
PO Box 30036, Lansing, MI 48909 
SenKMcDonaldRivet@senate.michigan.gov 

 

In this Edition

  • Legislative Updates
  • Community Investments
  • Community Connections
  • Helpful Resources and Links    
  • Connecting with Us

 

 

Legislative Update

Senate Passes Asbestos Transparency and Accountability Legislation

In late February, the Senate passed House Bills 4185, 4186, 4188 and 4190, along with Senate Bills 225–226. The common-sense changes laid out in this legislation will help protect Michigan municipalities, residents and asbestos abatement workers from the health hazards that can occur when asbestos removal is handled improperly. I’m proud to help move this bicameral, bipartisan legislative effort, initially begun in 2018, one step closer to final passage.

Community Investments

Corning to Invest $900 Million, Add 1,100+ Clean Energy Jobs in our Region

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) recently announced that Corning Incorporated has selected Saginaw County’s Richland Township for construction of a new manufacturing facility dedicated to American-made solar energy components. Along with a capital investment of $900 million, this project is expected to create over 1,100 jobs with starting wages exceeding the local median wage. 

This massive win for mid-Michigan families is no coincidence. Corning chose us over competing sites because of Michigan’s leadership in home-grown clean energy and our talent pool. Michigan Democrats’ Clean Energy Jobs Act, signed in December 2023, is already delivering.

The Michigan Strategic Fund awarded key grant money supporting Corning’s investment with funding I helped secure as a member of the Senate Appropriations committee. Moving our state and country toward energy independence and a greener, more sustainable future is pro-economy and pro-environment. I’m simply elated for the positive impact this will have on our families now and for decades to come. The full press release is here.

SK Siltron gets $544 Million US Dept of Energy Loan for Expansion

In yet another move affirming that the future of America’s economy will be made in Michigan, the US Department of Energy announced last month that it was providing SK Siltron a $544 million loan to help expand its silicon carbide wafer production facility in Bay County’s Monitor Township.

This loan will increase manufacturing capacity of these key electric vehicle components and add up to 200 new skilled jobs in our region by 2027. Strengthening domestic manufacturing of such a critical part of the electric vehicle supply chain is a smart investment which I wholeheartedly support, and better-paying jobs in our Great Lakes Bay Region are always worth celebrating.

 

$9.7 Million for Housing Development in Saginaw

We are using every available tool to expand access to better housing. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) approved $9.7 million for the acquisition and rehabilitation of Saginaw’s Birch Park Apartments. All units would be reserved for residents at 60% of our Area Median Income or less. Click here for related local coverage.

 

LEO Awards $3.7 Million to Local Community Centers

Community center grant recipients in Essexville, Freeland, and Saginaw will receive a combined $3.7 million recently awarded by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). This funding helps provide essential services including after-school programming, workforce development, recreational activities, support for older adults, and more. More information on the funding and statewide awardees may be found here.

 

USDA Funds Will Improve Internet Access in Rural Parts of Saginaw County

Families living in rural parts of Saginaw (Robin-Glen Indiantown) and four other Michigan counties will benefit from a $997,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development to expand internet access. This investment will help level the playing field when it comes to opportunities and services accessed through reliable, affordable high-speed internet service.

Community Connections

Let’s Connect at Bay City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade!

Team McDonald Rivet will be walking in Bay City’s 69th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade this Sunday, March 17.  To join in the fun with us, please see our Facebook event for details.

 

Jerome Preschool Green STEM Project Visit

It was great to tour Saginaw Intermediate School District’s Jerome Preschool along with Rep. Amos O’Neal to learn more about their exciting construction plans centered around creating a Green STEM Preschool building and a transformative preschool experience.

 

Visiting with the Saginaw Defenders Office

The Saginaw Defenders Office invited me to hear about the issues their clients face. I’m grateful for our discussion and their commitment to provide legal representation for individuals who cannot afford it.

 

Conversations with Constituents in Freeland

Thanks to everyone who joined us in Freeland earlier this month for our in-district constituent hour. Our conversations centered around the budget process as it is currently happening in Lansing, including education and special ed funding, and the importance of quality, affordable childcare for our working families. We also discussed the planned investment Corning is making which will bring $900 million and 1100+ jobs to our region — the result of Michigan’s Democratic leadership making the right moves to win the clean energy transition. Thanks to our friends at Operating Engineers 324 for hosting us.

 

Connecting at the Capitol with Saginaw’s Youth Protection Council

Director of District & Constituent Services Kevin Hayes helped me welcome the Saginaw County Youth Protection Council on their recent State Capitol visit. Our entire community benefits from this agency’s efforts to increase self-sufficiency in at-risk children and families.

 

EITC Resource Mailing – Be on The Lookout!

To make sure eligible workers know about the impact of Michigan’s Earned Income Tax Credit and how to claim it, we are mailing a print version of the EITC resource pictured above to working families in our 35th Senate District. This builds on our recent door to door awareness efforts highlighted in our last enews. We also have an electronic version of this EITC resource piece. I encourage employers and anyone connected to individuals who might be eligible to help us share this valuable information.

 

Helpful Resources and Links

 

Get Free Local Tax Help

Michigan Free Tax Help is a free service that partners with local United Way agencies to connect eligible community members with free, volunteer tax professionals in these programs:

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) — for people who make $64,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers.

Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) — primarily for people 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors.

Visit michiganfreetaxhelp.org, use the VITA Locator Tool or call 2-1-1 to connect to these services.


Utilities Assistance & Power Outage Resources

 

College and Career Training Resources and Scholarships

 

 

Connecting With Us

If You Need Help

If you have issues dealing with any state government department, including accessing unemployment benefits or tax information, my office is available to help resolve it. While we usually cannot assist with local or federal issues, we will always do our best to connect you with the most appropriate person or organization for help.

 

Most Current Updates

Social media sites are neither official government websites nor are they well suited for constituent correspondence. However, since we post frequently, our social media accounts can be a very timely way to learn about legislative action, community news and impacts. Visit my Facebook page or my Threads page.

 

Our newsletters, website and constituent hours are also great to learn about our work.