Grand Rapids Chamber Joins The Build It Michigan Strong Coalition!

Grand Rapids Chamber Joins The Build It Michigan Strong Coalition

West Michigan business leadership group endorses SB 431 as a way to help build Michigan's 21st century transportation network LANSING – The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce has joined the Build It Michigan Strong legislative coalition today in support of Senator Adam Hollier's Senate Bill 431, which expands aggregate mining with the goal of improving Michigan's roads, infrastructure and economic competitiveness. "Building a 21st century infrastructure network is a top priority of the Grand Rapids Chamber. Reducing unnecessary government spending through the uniform and transparent application of permitting will help us fix more Michigan roads. That is why we support Senate Bill 431 and are part of the Build It Michigan Strong team," said Joshua Lunger, Senior Director of Government Affairs at the Grand Rapids Chamber. The Grand Rapids Chamber is a champion of West Michigan businesses and works to elevate the region through talent development, business services and policy advocacy. Learn more by visiting grandrapids.org. SB 431 Saves Tax Dollars as Infrastructure Costs Are Rising Earlier this week the Detroit News pointed out that rising costs for road construction supplies are limiting the ability to get more roads fixed, something that SB 431 will remedy. Aggregate companies, the experts in this situation, say that supplies are limited in areas, leading to wasteful spending as construction supplies are hauled across the state's roads and freeways to where they are needed most: "Mark Schlegel, owner of the Lansing-area Schlegel Sand & Gravel, said the supply shortage is real. Schlegel said he is fielding a growing number of purchase inquiries from road contractors in west and southeast Michigan who would typically rely on closer mines for cheaper costs. Shipping material across the state can be prohibitively expensive, he said, sometimes costing more than the gravel or sand itself." Read more: More spending on Michigan roads blunted by rising costs

(https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2019/09/09/michigan-roads-spending-rising-costs/2133338001/) Coalition Backing SB 431 Expands...Again The Build It Michigan Strong coalition backs a modernization of the PA 113 aggregate mining permitting process as sponsored by State Senator Adam Hollier, D-Detroit. The coalition brings together an unprecedented pairing of labor and business groups dedicated to rebuilding our state and growing our economy— without wasting taxpayer dollars. Coalition members include: OPERATING ENGINEERS 324 MICHIGAN TEAMSTERS JOINT COUNCIL 43 MICHIGAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MICHIGAN MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION GRAND RAPIDS AREA CHAMBER MICHIGAN AGGREGATES ASSOCIATION MICHIGAN INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION MICHIGAN CONCRETE ASSOCIATION ASPHALT PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN

To read more about the public policy under debate regarding SB 431, go to: builditmichiganstrong.com