LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Additional federal relief funding is expected to help Northern Michigan communities continue recovering from the devastating ice storm that struck the region in spring 2025.
State Rep. Parker Fairbairn (R-Harbor Springs) said the Trump administration has committed more federal dollars to aid recovery efforts after months of conversations between Michigan House Republicans and federal officials.
“We’re hearing from the federal administration that there are more dollars being allocated to help with the ice storm,” Fairbairn said.
Specific details about how much funding will be provided or where it will be distributed have not yet been released.
Fairbairn said the storm caused extensive damage across Northern Michigan, particularly to electric infrastructure maintained by local cooperatives.
“Each of them, PIE&G and Great Lakes Energy, both incurred well over $100 million of damage to their infrastructure,” he said.
Lawmakers say the new funding could help address lingering recovery needs, including damage to homes, property, and electrical systems.
“A lot of people still need a lot of help up there,” Fairbairn said.
Fairbairn said state leaders have been working with the White House since the storm struck to secure additional federal resources.
“Speaker Hall has been a big champion for this, working in close collaboration with the president,” he said.
The Harbor Springs Republican is also calling on the Michigan Senate to pass his proposed $100 million state relief plan, which he says would provide additional support for communities still recovering from the storm.
“They’ve been sitting on it for nearly a year,” Fairbairn said in a statement. “Our communities have waited long enough.”
