NORTHERN MICHIGAN (Michigan News Source) – President Donald Trump has approved $50 million in federal disaster relief for Northern Michigan, delivering a major boost to communities still reeling from severe ice storms that crippled the region at the end of March this year.
The announcement came as welcome news to state and local leaders, especially State Representative Ken Borton (R-Gaylord).
Federal aid unlocks support for storm-ravaged communities.
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“Our entire Northern Michigan community is breathing a collective sigh of relief tonight after President Trump announced he was sending this funding our way,” Borton said in a statement. “We couldn’t be more grateful to the President and his team for delivering on relief dollars we so desperately need.”
“Our communities banded together and got through the storms last winter, but just by the skin of our teeth,” Borton added. “These federal dollars will finally take us from ‘just getting by’ to ‘getting back to normal.’”
Announcement from the president.
In a Truth Social post on Tuesday, July 22, Trump said, “I just spoke with Governor Gretchen Whitmer to let her know I am approving $50 Million Dollars for the wonderful State of Michigan for Public Assistance to help them recover from the terrible Winter Storms they endured. It was my Honor to do so.”
Gov. Whitmer replies.
Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement on Wednesday about the funding, “With this initial support, we can help communities recover costs associated with cleanup efforts. I want to thank the president and our congressional delegation for supporting our request, and I look forward to collaborating further on much-needed additional resources. Michiganders across the state stepped up to help our neighbors, and while other parts of our request remain under review, we will continue advocating together to help Northern Michigan recover and rebuild.”
Bergman praises Trump’s disaster declaration as key to recovery efforts.
U.S. Representative Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet) also released a statement about the funding saying, “President Trump’s approval of a Major Disaster Declaration for the counties impacted by March’s devastating ice storm is welcome news. I’m grateful to his Administration for working to get this done. This long-awaited decision unlocks critical resources to help our communities recover and rebuild as quickly as possible. It’s been a true team effort – from local agencies to state and federal partners. Northern Michigan is no stranger to tough times – but it’s in moments like these, when our communities rally and move forward together, that the true spirit of Northern Michigan shines brightest.”
Counties helped.
The declaration opens the path to public assistance in Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Kalkaska, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle Counties and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.
Trump steps up as Michigan lawmakers stall disaster aid.
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The relief comes as Michiganders continue to wait for help from the state. In March, the Michigan House overwhelmingly passed a $100 million bipartisan disaster relief bill. That measure has since stalled in the Senate Appropriations Committee – a committee made up of 12 Democrats and 6 Republicans.
Michigan News Source reached out to the committee chair, State Senator Sarah E. Anthony (D- Lansing) as well as State Senator Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) who is running to replace Gary Peters as the next U.S. Senator. Neither of them responded to our request for comment on why the bill is still being stalled in their committee.
The funding is desperately needed, as the Michigan State Police estimate $137 million in damage to public property and infrastructure in Northern Michigan – not including damage to private property.
Trump delivers for Michigan.
Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) said in a statement about Trump’s help, “This has been one of our top priorities at the Capitol, and President Trump was very concerned when Gov. Whitmer and I spoke to him about the terrible damage at the White House this spring. People up there are struggling and our northern communities are running out of emergency resources.” He added, “When we need help, President Trump delivers.”
Hall also spoke about the Michigan legislation in an X post on Thursday saying, “Sadly, @MISenDems are still refusing to vote on Rep. Fairbairn’s bipartisan disaster relief bill – blocking even more in state aid for Northern Michigan families devastated by ice storms. They have been blocking it since April!” He added, “Real leadership means knowing natural disasters aren’t partisan. It means stepping up for those hit hardest-and we’re thankful to President Trump for doing exactly that.”
Trump responds while Lansing delays.
While Northern Michigan residents begin to see real relief thanks to federal action from the president, questions linger in Lansing. As President Trump cuts through red tape to get aid flowing, Democratic lawmakers in Michigan’s Senate remain stalled on a bipartisan state relief package. For communities still picking up the pieces, the message is clear: help didn’t come from the Capitol – it came from the White House.
