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Grant to help fund road improvements around GM's Factory ZERO plant on Detroit-Hamtramck border

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Posted at 10:43 AM, Jan 19, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-19 10:49:17-05

DETROIT (WXYZ) — Road improvements are coming to the Detroit-Hamtramck border around General Motors' Factory ZERO plant, thanks in part to a transportation economic development grant issued by the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the grant, saying that the project will help support 2,200 new jobs in the city of Detroit.

"This is good news for our families, our businesses, and our economy as a whole. Every Michigander deserves to drive on our roads safely, without blowing a tire or cracking a windshield, and this partnership with GM will help us reach that goal while creating good jobs for Michigan workers," said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in a news release. "I am pleased that we were able to work with this long-standing company and the City of Detroit on the road improvements necessary to support GM's Factory ZERO, and I will continue working with everyone who wants to create Michigan jobs and improve our state's infrastructure. Let's get to work."

Jim Quick, plant director at Factory ZERO, Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center, said Factory ZERO is "an important piece of our journey to an all-electric future," noting the road improvements will help employees and the surrounding communities.

GM says 40 percent of its U.S. entries will be battery electric vehicles by the end of 2025 and Factory ZERO will play a main role in the strategy.

According to a news release, this grant will help with the rebuilding and repaving with concrete of Mt. Elliott Street from Conant Street to Harper Avenue, Conant Street from Mt. Elliott Street north to the city limit just south of Miller Street, Hamtramck Drive from E. Grand Boulevard north to the Detroit city limit, and E. Grand Boulevard from Trombly Street to Hamtramck Drive.

The total project cost is expected to cost $11,686,313; the grant will help with $6,000,000, and the City of Detroit will provide $5,686,313 in matching funds, according to the press release.