What is Biden doing for Michigan? Nonprofit group launches new website to keep track

A new online database is keeping track of more than 5,400 infrastructure projects underway in Michigan as a result of investments from President Joe Biden’s administration. 

MICHIGAN—Since President Joe Biden took office, more than 5,400 infrastructure projects have been announced across the state of Michigan—from improving drinking water infrastructure and fixing roads, to expanding broadband internet and mental health services.

And according to new data from Progress Michigan, those projects have been fueled by more than $45 billion in federal funding that has been directed to Michigan over the last four years—namely through Biden’s signature legislation like the American Rescue Plan Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the CHIPS and Science Act.

But when it comes to millions and billions of dollars, it can be difficult to grasp what that federal funding actually means for Michigan families and their local communities. That’s why Progress Michigan launched a new website to help keep track of the progress over the last four years.

“It’s not often that the state of Michigan sees $45 billion and thousands of infrastructure projects spread across the entire state,” said Progress Michigan Director Sam Inglot. “It’s our hope that this website will help people understand the true impact of this kind of investment in our state.”

The new website—bidenbuildsmi.com—went live last week, and includes details about how the state of Michigan is using federal funding to help rebuild and improve infrastructure statewide. Each project is divided into key categories like transportation, health, education, and childcare.

The stated goal: “Take those big, hard-to-picture numbers and break them down, letting you know exactly where the money is going and see the impact on your communities in real time.”

“We want people to have a central location to keep track of all of this work going on in Michigan,” Inglot said. “We believe this website helps folks see this public funding at work where they live and work. … President Biden’s historic infrastructure and community investments will not only improve our communities but will help improve the quality of life for millions of Michiganders from Manistee to Monroe and from Detroit to the Keweenaw Peninsula.”

READ MORE: Three years later: What is the American Rescue Plan doing for Michigan?

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