Dear Neighbors,

Welcome to this month’s edition of my e-newsletter. I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to tackle the tough issues that will lower the cost of living, help families get ahead and build a brighter future for all who call Michigan home.

As always, I welcome your feedback on issues facing Michigan or the Greater Rochester Area, Troy, Sterling Heights, Shelby Township and Utica communities. Constituent feedback is vital as I represent our communities in Lansing. If you are experiencing a problem with one of our state government agencies, my office is always available to assist with finding a solution. I respect your opinion and will always do my best to make myself available and accessible to you.

Please take a moment to visit my website, like my official Facebook page, send me an email or call my office at 517-373-0994. If you have any questions, concerns or opinions on what is happening, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Michael Webber
State Senator
9th District

State Rep. Mark Tisdel and I secured a $2 million state grant in the state budget for the Rochester Community House renovations. I spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony and am proud to have supported this community asset.

This investment will make the Rochester Community House more open, accessible and available to more residents in our community, while saving local taxpayers money by avoiding the need for the city to bond for these improvements. The facility is currently closed for construction and will reopen next May.

The Rochester Community House is one of the busiest community meeting spaces in the Greater Rochester area. What began as a Works Progress Administration-built pavilion has grown into a large multi-use facility. The project will replace the northern portion of the building with a much larger conference and gathering space, add an improved lookout meeting room and a walk-out basement space with a second kitchen, and include new decking, siding, and roofing.

I visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha Mandir in Sterling Heights and presented a legislative tribute with Rep. Tom Kuhn to recognize the milestone. During the last decade, the Mandir has provided a place for Hindu worshippers to practice their faith and has contributed to the community through a spirit of cultural preservation, community service, volunteerism, and numerous community and humanitarian initiatives.

BAPS is a worldwide Hindu fellowship within the Swaminarayan tradition of Hinduism, dedicated to individual spiritual growth and to the service of God’s creation. It is rooted in the revelations of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and guided today by a living guru, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj.

The Hindu community that has grown with the Mandir exemplifies the rich cultural and ethnic diversity that exists within Sterling Heights and its surrounding communities.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is scheduled to begin a two-year project to rebuild five miles of Rochester Road (M-150) between M-59 and Tienken Road. The project is scheduled to begin in March 2027 and be completed by the end of November 2028.

The reconstruction is split into two phases. In 2027, the stretch between M-59 and the Clinton River Bridge will be reconstructed. From March to July, only one northbound lane will be open. From July to November, traffic will be moved and only one southbound lane will be open. In 2028, the project moves north of the Paint Creek Bridge to Tienken Road. From March to July, only one southbound lane will be open. From July to November, one northbound lane will be open.

The current road has reached the end of its useful life and patching is no longer sufficient for the numerous potholes and cracks. Not only will the road be rebuilt, but sewers, curbs and gutters will be repaired or replaced, and sidewalks will be leveled where needed. Additionally, a sidewalk will be added to the bridge over M-59, improving pedestrian access on both sides of the freeway.

I am in communication with MDOT staff to ensure that access to all businesses along the affected stretch of Rochester Road remains open. One lane of traffic will remain open throughout the project and detours will be in place where necessary.

This $40 million project was made possible by the Legislature’s investment in road funding last year. The legislation invested an additional nearly $2 billion per year for infrastructure improvements across the state, made possible by dedicating all taxes collected at the pump to roads and the creation of a wholesale tax on marijuana.

The destructive severe storms that hit the Greater Rochester area in early September damaged the U.S. flag and Michigan flag that are flown outside at the American House in Rochester Hills. I presented new flags that have been flown outside the Michigan State Capitol to be used at American House.

Many residents at American House are retired veterans and take pride in our community. I was joined by Rob Gillette, owner, and Roxiann White, Executive Director, and residents of American House for the flag presentation.

Defense contractor SAPA Transmission announced a $163 million investment to build a 200,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility and U.S. headquarters in Shelby Township. The facility will expand the company’s presence in the township, where they currently operate a 100,000-square-foot facility that employs 60 workers. The new facility will employ more than 300 people and greatly increase SAPA’s manufacturing capabilities as the premier transmission supplier for U.S. and NATO combat vehicles, including the Abrams tank and other current and future platforms.

Macomb County continues to grow as a hub for the defense industry, anchored by U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) and the Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren. As the co-chair of the Michigan Legislative Aerospace and Defense Caucus, I am working with local and national partners to bring new investment to Macomb County and surrounding areas to ensure Michigan remains the Arsenal of Democracy.

The expansion will bring high-paying jobs with a starting wage of $28 per hour, which is higher than the regional median wage, to our community. SAPA leadership highlighted our state’s investment in workforce development and skills training and the existing defense ecosystem as major reasons why they chose Michigan over other competing states.

The 2026 Pure Michigan Fall/Winter Travel Guide highlights stunning sights to see, exciting places to go and fun activities to experience for visitors and residents alike.

You can call my office at 517-373-0994 or email SenMWebber@senate.michigan.gov to request a free copy of the updated travel guide.

I will be holding office hours on Oct. 19 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Sterling Heights Community Center (40250 Dodge Park Road). No registration is required to attend.