FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 3, 2006

CONTACT: Sen. Mike Prusi (517) 373-7536

SENATOR MIKE PRUSI ANNOUNCES GRANT TO FUND PUBLIC SAFETY IN U.P.

LANSING – State Senator Mike Prusi (D-Ishpeming) announced today that the Upper Peninsula has been selected to receive a grant for a “Center for Excellence.” The program was created by Governor Jennifer Granholm to encourage resource sharing and savings among local governments, by facilitating the sharing of services, agencies, equipment, and employees. In addition to the community partnership in the U.P., six other community partnerships throughout Michigan have also been chosen. They will all receive grants of up to $25,000 over two years to implement their programs to streamline government resources.

“Simply by convincing agencies to work together, this program helps stretch our regional dollars and saves residents of the U.P. money,” said Sen. Prusi. “This program will help local governments in their efforts to be fiscally responsible.”

The state received 35 applications with various proposals encouraging resource sharing to save money. Projects that were considered included combining public safety dispatch, transportation authorities, and payroll systems. In the U.P., the Center for Excellence will improve public safety. Iron Mountain, Kingsford, Norway and Breitung will focus on regional public safety and shared education information and facilities among departments, combining service coverage and joint code enforcement.

“Sharing education information and service coverage will make our citizens safer,” Prusi said. “The Center for Excellence program allows agencies to learn from each other.”

Funding for the grants is through existing community development dollars at the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).

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Mike Prusi serves as Democratic Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He represents the 38th Senate District, which includes 13 of the 15 Upper Peninsula counties.