Alvin Jones

1 month ago | radio.wcmu.org | Alvin Jones

Editor's note: This story was produced for the ear and designed to be heard. If you're able, WCMU encourages you to listen to the audio version of this story by clicking the LISTEN button above. It’s been five years since a series of dam failures resulted in widespread flooding across parts of mid-Michigan. Sanford, a community in Midland County, was devastated by the incident. Five years on, the community is doing better, but is still facing challenges.

1 month ago | radio.wcmu.org | Alvin Jones

A new survey says businesses across northern Michigan are concerned about uncertainty of the White House's tariff policies. A poll of 214 businesses from the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance says 52.3% of their members expect "significant negative impact" from tariffs. 41.6% of those surveyed expect minimal or no impact and 6.1% expect positive impact. The survey also says 48.6% expect minimal or no impact on sales and 43.9% expect a drop in revenue. 7.5 % say they expect positive impact.

1 month ago | radio.wcmu.org | Alvin Jones

Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and state economic officials are touting a $25 million grant going to build infrastructure in local communities across Michigan, including several in the central and northern regions. Earlier this month, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced approval for projects through the Revitalization and Placemaking program. That program provides money for infrastructure, real-estate development, and rehabilitating downtown areas and business districts.

1 month ago | radio.wcmu.org | Alvin Jones |Rick Brewer

This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and length. Listen to this story by clicking the LISTEN play button above. David Nicholas: Montmorency and Alpena counties were hit hard by major ice storms in March. As those counties continue to recover, they're talking about sharing an emergency manager. WCMU News director Rick Brewer spoke with reporter AJ Jones about the plan, and its uncertain future.

2 months ago | interlochenpublicradio.org | Alvin Jones

As Montmorency County works to rebuild the community from northern Michigan's historic ice storms, they are working to mitigate wildfires, economic damage — and a federal regulation that may block some aid for houses. That's because the Federal Emergency Management Agency does not provide relief funding for secondary residences like vacation homes, according to the FEMA . "That's the bad thing with a lot of our people up here in northern Michigan, especially Montmorency County.