Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) announced he secured nearly $4.1 million in federal funding for mid-Michigan communities as part of the government funding package (H.R. 5371) signed into law last night by President Donald Trump.
In addition to a continuing resolution to fund the government through January 30, 2026, H.R. 5371 included three appropriations bills: Agriculture, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. In these appropriations bills was funding Barrett requested and secured for three community projects that will support agricultural research at Michigan State University, an improved dispatch system for Livingston County, and a new fire truck for Putnam Township.
"Mid-Michigan residents deserve to have their tax dollars spent on projects that will have a real and lasting impact on the communities they call home," said Barrett. "I'm proud to announce that Congress and President Trump have approved nearly $4.1 million that I fought for and secured for our district. I'm excited to see how these investments will improve our already great communities and make them a safer, more prosperous place to live."
$3 million of the $4.1 million will go to Agricultural Research at Michigan State University. This funding will be used for Michigan State University to repair and maintain a greenhouse complex used by university faculty and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The greenhouse buildings require repair work to maintain the environmental control needed for plant science research. This funding for the greenhouse complex is in addition to $3.8 billion for the federal government's ongoing agricultural research programs in partnership with MSU and scientists across the country.
"MSU and the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have a more than 100-year partnership dedicated to improving our agricultural industries, continuing through collaborations in greenhouses on MSU's campus," said MSU AgBioResearch Director George Smith. "We appreciate Rep. Barrett's support for this new ARS funding, which continues efforts to bring the greenhouse facilities up to world-class plant science standards. This infrastructure will help bolster MSU leadership in the field, recruit and retain talented faculty, provide research opportunities for students, and support Michigan's quality of life and robust agriculture industries."
