OTSEGO COUNTY— Ice storm recovery continues to impact counties across Northern Michigan, as state lawmakers urge the senate to pass bill 4328, which would provide an additional $100 million for municipalities that contributed to relief efforts after the ice storm.
State Representative Parker Fairbairn has been able to secure $14 million in funding for affected Northern Michigan communities, but the push for an extra 100 million continues—five months after the storm.
Otsego County United Way is just one of many nonprofits in the area that have stepped up to support local communities and fund the relief effort in any way they can.
“We all had to step up to the plate and use funds that were maybe for other projects,” said Otsego County United Way Executive Director Kim Akin. “After this disaster, we learned some more things that we need to work on, but we had a great response, and we were able to help those people in that immediate need.”
The relief efforts from organizations across Northern Michigan have been remarkable. With Fairbairn’s request for another 100 million in funding, their efforts can be properly supplemented.