State Representative Bill G. Schuette on Wednesday testified on critical resources he is fighting for in the state budget process.

Schuette has requested $450,000 for the upcoming fiscal year for water main work for the city of Beaverton. The project would involve “looping,” which would allow the city to isolate any potential break and seamlessly execute a shut-off while reducing the number of people affected.

“This infrastructure would protect existing residents and continue to provide them with clean, safe and reliable drinking water while also allowing for future growth in the community,” said Schuette, who represents Beaverton in the Michigan House as part of the 95^th House District. “Ensuring taxpayers have good return on their dollars and they have effective infrastructure that they use every day should be priorities when we are laying out these budgets. I will continue fighting for this critical funding for Beaverton and other targeted investments for our communities.”

The requested funding would not go to administrative expenses and would solely be used for construction. Schuette noted the design and permitting processes for the project have already been completed.

When testifying on the request before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor and Economic Opportunity, Schuette was joined by Beaverton City Manager Shannon Sirpilla and Director of Downtown & Community Development Matt Lang.

“As our systems age, the cost of rehabilitation and replacement continues to climb at a rate that far outpaces our local tax base,” Sirpilla said. “Frankly, without the collaboration between the municipality and our state legislators, (the) looping project would simply not be financially feasible. … Every year that these upgrades are deferred, the stress on our infrastructure and our community increases. This request is about more than just pipes in the ground. It’s about ensuring sustainability of a small Michigan town.”

Schuette has consistently fought for water infrastructure funding in his time in the Legislature. As part of the current state budget, he secured $10 million for flood reduction infrastructure to protect residents, families and job providers in the city of Midland and another $9.8 million for the Four Lakes Task Force as they continue efforts to repair dams that failed and led to catastrophic flooding across the area in 2020.

The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

PHOTO INFORMATION: State Representative Bill G. Schuette (right, at table) was joined by Beaverton City Manager Shannon Sirpilla and Director of Downtown & Community Development Matt Lang (on screen) for testimony on Wednesday, April 15 regarding a budget request Schuette has made for $450,000 for the upcoming fiscal year for water main work for the city.