The Grand River at Riverside Park served as the backdrop for a press conference by state and community leaders to talk about water infrastructure projects in West Michigan and protecting the Great Lakes ecosystem.
Chad Frederick, Associate Professor of Geography and Sustainable Planning at Grand Valley State University touched on the economic advantages.
“People are more mobile than ever. They get to choose where they want to live and if Grand Rapids and West Michigan is not investing in its environment, people are going to know that and they’re going to move to other areas.
Marshall Kilgore, Director of Engagement with the West Michigan Environmental Action Center, focused on infrastructure development to better protect disadvantaged residents from the effects of climate-related disasters like flooding or storm damage.
“If you’re struggling to keep the lights on and that bill that comes from fixing a roof or maybe even a gutter can totally knock out your budget for the month or even the year.”
State Representative John Fitzgerald highlighted the $275,000 grant from the Inflation Reduction Act which will fund an assessment for nature-based solutions to help with flooding and enhance the Grand River Coastal Corridor.
“This approach not only helps us address environmental challenges but does so in a way that works with nature not against it.”
The Climate Action Campaign organized the event as part of its Clean Energy Revolution Tour: a six-week, six-state tour highlighting local projects advocates view as climate progress.
