Earlier this month, Sen. Bumstead was recognized by the American Legion Department of Michigan for his attention, support and care for Michigan’s military veterans. Pictured with Bumstead is Tim Poxson, the legislative chair for the American Legion Department of Michigan.

This award was specifically given in recognition for his work on veterans property tax exemption bills; Senate Bills 783, 784 and 1084. These bills were created to keep the current tax relief for veterans in place while shifting the tax burden to the state instead of local municipalities.

During the early drafting phases of the legislation, Bumstead worked with the American Legion and other stakeholders to ensure that these bills would accomplish the goal of shifting the tax burden to the state while protecting the benefit for those who served us.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has announced it will be deploying the first round of State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) 2.0 funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury. Through this initial round of funding, up to $72 million will be available to support loans to small businesses through MEDC’s Access to Capital programs, including the Collateral Support, Loan Participation, Loan Guarantee, and Capital Access Programs, as well as equity investments for early-stage, technology-based businesses in Michigan as part of the Small Business Venture Capital Program.

Venture funds seeking to apply for investment through SBVCP should visit Michiganbusiness.org/sbvcp/ or may direct any questions to [email protected]. Applications from Michigan venture capital funds will be accepted by MEDC during a three-year open period or until the budget is exhausted. Recommendations for awards will be submitted to the Michigan Strategic Fund board for approval.

Banks, credit unions and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) may begin making applications for loan enhancement support through any of these programs to the MSF board by leveraging current MEDC Access to Capital programs and SSBCI funding available. Updated program fact sheets and new SSBCI templates with industry eligibility updates can be accessed on the Capital Access program lenders page.

To learn more about MEDC’s Access to Capital program visit Michiganbusiness.org/access-capital.

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is partnering with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other veteran organizations to hold its second Veterans Experience Action Center.

The three-day event, held Oct. 4-6, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. EDT, is an opportunity for veterans to receive one-on-one personalized assistance with their VA benefits, health care, crisis resources, and many other benefits they have earned for their service.

At the VEAC, veterans attend a virtual appointment with a local veterans service officer who can facilitate a direct transfer to VA experts and community partners who can immediately address their specific needs. The first VEAC, held in 2021, served more than 600 Michigan veterans during the three-day event.

For more information or to register for the Michigan VEAC, visit the VA website.

Last week the Senate passed Senate Bills 184 and 185. These bills ensure that our children in school and childcare facilities have access to clean drinking water that is lead-free. With schools and childcare facilities having scheduled days off resulting in lower levels of water flow on those days, the risk of lead leaching into the plumbing may be higher.

Under the legislation, schools would develop a drinking water safety plan and be required to install filtered bottle filling stations and filtered faucets. Among other requirements, these bills ensure that students are not accidentally being exposed to lead in school water.

Funding for this program was provided through Senate Bill 565, now PA 53 of 2022, which I sponsored. Part of the supplemental allocated $50 million to lessen the burden on schools when they are installing and purchasing filtered water stations.

Senate Bills 184 and 185 are now in the House Committee on Regulatory Reform for consideration.

Behind every great student is a teacher who took the time to invest in and enrich his or her life – and Michigan schools are filled with many wonderful teachers.

Each year, one teacher is named Michigan’s Teacher of the Year. The Michigan Teacher of the Year serves as a representative and advocate for Michigan's more than 90,000 teachers and works with nine fellow regional Teachers of the Year to make up the Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Council. Each Regional Teacher of the year, from the 10 regions across Michigan, brings recognition to the district he or she represents and has additional opportunities for professional development and opportunities to share their experience and expertise. The MTOY also attends the State Board of Education meetings as a non-voting member and serves as Michigan’s applicant for National Teacher of the Year.

Nominations for the 2023-24 Michigan Teacher of the Year are open from now until Oct 24. For more information about the MTOY year program, or to nominate a teacher, visit the Michigan Department of Education’s MTOY page. Nominations can also be made using the online form.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) announced Michigan’s 2023 High Water Infrastructure Grant Program. This grant program was made possible by the Michigan Legislature appropriating $14.25 million to provide relief around the state for infrastructure and planning as a result of vulnerabilities presented by Great Lakes high water and severe weather events.

The High Water Infrastructure Grant Program directly addresses the impacts and vulnerabilities brought forth by severe weather events, with a direct focus on projects that address flooding, coastline erosion, urban heat and stormwater management. Regional councils of government, local municipalities and public or nonprofit organizations with sponsorship from a local municipality are eligible for under this grant program.

More information on Michigan’s High Water Infrastructure grant program can be found here.

I want to remind area-residents of the following events taking place throughout the 34th District in the upcoming weeks.

Muskegon Fall Festival
Friday – Sunday, Sept. 30 – Oct. 2
Muskegon County Fairground
6621 Heights Ravenna Road
Fruitport, MI 49415

Description: Enjoy a weekend full of daily activities, vendors and more. More information can be found here.

Hart Fall Art Walk
Saturday, Oct. 1
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
16 S State St.
Hart, MI 49420

Description: Join us for the first annual Fall ArtWalk in Downtown Hart on Saturday, October 1, 2022, from 11a-2p. Stroll through several unique locations downtown and view original works of art, meet the artists, listen to live music and enjoy refreshments at each stop. More information here.

Shelby Farm to Table Harvest Festival
Saturday, Oct. 1
Noon – 7 p.m.
Downtown Shelby
Michigan Ave.

Description: Enjoy a full day of activities, games, contests, carnival rides local art and farm market vendors. More information here.

Reminiscing, Reunions, and Recipes
Wednesday, Oct. 5
5:30 – 7 p.m.
White Lake Community Library
3900 W White Lake Dr.
Whitehall, MI 49461

Description: Megan Hyle of Hunting Down History helps us explore less familiar ways to record your family history using recipes passed down through generations, recalling family lore, and attending school, work, career and family reunions. More information here.

Pentwater October Fest
Saturday, Oct 8
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Pentwater Village Green
327 S Hancock St.
Pentwater, MI 49449

Description: The second Friday & Saturday in October marks the 26th anniversary of this long-held tradition of Oktoberfest in Pentwater. The event has many activities for all to enjoy including the Stout Stumble 5K and Classic Car and Hot Rod Show. More information here.

Makerspace Open House at Montague Library
Saturday, Oct. 15
1 – 3 p.m.
Montague Library
8778 Ferry St.
Montague, MI 49437

Description: Celebrate the grand opening of the Montague Makerspace, made possible by The Friends of Montague Library. Snacks, activities, and crafts will be available. More information here.

Muskegon Community Resource Fair
Friday, Oct. 21
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Hackley Library
316 W Webster Ave.
Muskegon, MI 49440

Description: Stop by Hackley Library to find and grab resources on Housing options, childcare, healthcare, education and more. More information can be found here.

Fright Night at the Museum
Saturday, Oct. 29
7:30 – 10 p.m.
Muskegon Museum of History and Science
430 W Clay Ave.
Muskegon, MI 49440

Description: Fright Night is back and this time we’re making sure no one makes it out unscathed. More information can be found here.

Camp ‘n Treat
Sunday Oct. 30
4 – 6 p.m.
Camp Henry
5575 S. Gordan Ave.
Newaygo, MI 49337

Description: Camp 'n Treat will include trick or treating, pony rides, wagon rides, fall activities, a costume contest, snacks, and more. More information here.

White Cloud 5th Annual Haunted Library
Monday, Oct 31
7 – 9 p.m.
White Cloud Community Library
1038 E Wilcox Ave.
White Cloud, MI 49349

Description: Fun for the whole family, with an option for the little kids to be scared or not so scared. More information here.