Stabenow Announces Support to Spur Economic Development in Southeast Michigan, Improve Access to Eastern Market

Press Release

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced major support to spur economic development and job growth in Southeast Michigan and improve access to Eastern Market. Senator Stabenow worked closely with Eastern Market, community leaders, and the U.S. Department of Transportation to secure support for the Link Detroit! Multi-Modal Enhancement Plan, which will make critical infrastructure improvements to connect the Eastern Market District to key neighborhoods and destinations across Southeast Michigan.

Senator Stabenow said, "This announcement is great news for Southeast Michigan and will be a major economic boost for the region. Eastern Market is already a hub for economic activity, supporting Michigan farmers and local businesses while increasing access to Michigan-grown food options for families. This award will increase visitor access to Eastern Market, and other destinations, improving the economic vitality in the region and spurring job growth."

Dan Carmody, President of Eastern Market Corporation, the non-profit that manages Eastern Market on behalf of the City of Detroit stated, "Today is a great day! This grant allows previous phases of Greenway construction to be joined together creating a robust system of greenways that connects places where people live, work, play, and shop. Further, key bridges, critical infrastructure to the operations of Eastern Market will be improved and we will advance our work to better connect the parts of the Eastern Market District that lie on either side of the M-3 Connector."

George Jackson, Jr., Chair of the Eastern Market Board said, "Eastern Market Corporation is thankful to all those who assisted in the development of the grant including the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, JJR Smith Group, the City of Detroit, Midtown Detroit, Inc., and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. The fantastic congressional delegation from Michigan, led by Senator Stabenow is also to be thanked for making sure this worthy project was evaluated fairly against outstanding projects from around the nation."

Senator Stabenow authored a new bipartisan Farm Bill, the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act, which strengthens support for farmers' markets and supports innovative local food enterprises like food hubs. The bipartisan proposal is expected to be voted on by the Senate later this week.

Founded in 1891, Detroit's Eastern Market is the largest historic public market in the United States. Each Saturday, more than 40,000 people visit Eastern Market, which oversees the operation of more than 250 independent retail and wholesale merchants.

The City of Detroit will receive a $10,000,000 grant through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) initiative.

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