GCMPC 2021 Accomplishments Report

from GCMPC 2021 Accomplishments Report

by GCMPC

Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission 2021 Accomplishments

$157,626,637 Total Investment in Genesee County

People $2,856, 897

Infrastructure $154,360,000

Environment $409,740

**1,120**
Households Assisted by Pandemic Relief Funds

**1,722**
People Receiving Housing & Homelessness Assistance

**534**
Contractors Hired Through Our Projects

**1,626**
Educated in Environmental Stewardship

**151 Tons**
Haz. Waste & Tires Kept Out of Landfills

CARES Act

Implementing new programming in response to COVID-19 was a key community development endeavor. Over $3.7 million was received as part of the Community Development Block Grant CARES Act and the Emergency Solutions Grant CARES Act programs. Small businesses, restaurants, basic needs programs, senior housing facilities, and rental/mortgage/utility assistance programs were funded.

GCMPC partnered with Metro Community Development, Catholic Charities, and GCCARD to provide rent, mortgage, and utility assistance and over 185 households received help.

A portion of CDBG-CV funds supported small businesses in recovering losses due to the pandemic. Thirty-four qualifying small businesses received grants up to $10,000 under this program.

Dort Highway Extension

Over ten years ago, GCMPC coordinated a Freight and Connectivity Study for Genesee County. This study resulted in construction of the County’s first new primary road, now nearing completion. The two-phase construction project for the Dort Highway Extension included improvement to the I-75 interchange south to Cook Road in Grand Blanc Township. Improvements included four ramp reconstructions to roundabouts as well as intersection improvements. The second phase, expected to be completed in 2022, includes a roundabout and paving work on Cook Road. A nonmotorized trail will run along Dort Highway and will eventually connect to the Ascension Genesys trailway.

The multi-year effort will create improvements in traffic flow, safety, and recreation for the community. The project is a great example of planning, negotiation, and cooperation coming together to create important improvements in an area expected to see continued growth.

Recycle Day & Tire Collection Events

Genesee County residents continued to be good environmental stewards through their participation in three Recycle Day events as well as a tire recycling event. During these events, 185,000 pounds of household hazardous waste and 4,300 tires were collected from over 1,500 participants. This was a record-breaking number of tires collected at one single event. The majority of the waste collected during the Recycle Day events included electronics and paint.

In recent years, the cost and popularity of household hazardous waste (HHW) disposal at Recycle Day events has increased dramatically. Stay tuned for future information regarding the expansion of this program.

Air Quality Awareness

The quality of air we breathe, inside and out, can have a major impact on our health and the health of the natural environment. Staff is implementing a new program to educate the community about air quality awareness and make improvements towards a healthier population. An air quality awareness webpage was developed to provide resources that will help the public improve air quality in their community: http:// gcmpc.org/air-quality-awareness/.