Gogebic County waiting on details on water infrastructure grants

IRONWOOD — Locals are waiting to see whether any of the $500 million for water infrastructure upgrades Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced last week will make it to the Gogebic Range. Whitmer called the MI Clean Water Plan a “significant investment after decades of underinvestment in Michigan’s infrastructure,” in her Oct. 1 announcement of the half a billion dollars in funding. The plan addresses everything from lead service lines and toxic contaminations to failing septic systems and high water rates, while not raising taxes for residents. The plan calls for a $207.1 million investment in drinking water systems, with the remaining $293 million going towards wastewater protections. Gogebic Range Water Authority says they are waiting for details on how funding would be distributed. The water authority consists of Bessemer, Wakefield, Ironwood Township, Bessemer Township and Wakefield Township. Ironwood Utilities Manager Bob Tervonen told the Daily Globe there was a webinar planned for next week and he hoped that would be an opportunity for more information on what funds might be available and what the application process will look like.