Trump Approves Federal Funding for Michigan Ice Storm Recovery

President Donald Trump agreed to provide additional federal funding for recovery efforts in Northern Michigan following historic ice storms from the previous year. The decision, reached during a Tuesday meeting at the White House with Governor Gretchen Whitmer, reverses a previous denial of aid by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This new support follows at least $50 million in disaster funding approved in July.

The federal aid aims to assist residents, small businesses, and utilities. Electrical cooperatives Great Lakes Energy and Presque Isle Electric and Gas reportedly accumulated over $300 million in debt due to grid damage. To complement federal efforts, Representative Parker Fairbairn proposed a $100 million state relief plan. This plan has passed the Michigan House of Representatives and awaits action in the Michigan Senate to provide direct reimbursements for unexpected cleanup costs.

During their meeting, Whitmer and Trump also discussed the Brandon Road Project, where Whitmer requested funding for the United States Army Corps of Engineers to construct a barrier protecting the Great Lakes from invasive carp. The leaders reviewed the deployment of 21 F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets and a squadron of KC-46A Pegasus Refueling Tankers to the Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Whitmer also updated the president on deadly tornadoes that struck Southwest Michigan the previous Friday.