September 8, 2020, OAKLAND COUNTY, MI. – On July 23, 2020,the Oakland County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution sponsored by Commissioner Michael J. Gingell (R-Lake Orion) and Commissioner Tom Kuhn (R-Troy) securing $88,994 for the City of Auburn Hills through the county’s Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP).

“I am pleased that the Board of Commissioners has continued to support road improvements by providing matching funds on local projects,” Gingell said. “Safe roads support economic development and improve the quality of life for residents in our communities.”

“The county has a wonderful partnership with our local communities,” Kuhn said. “That close working relationship allows the County Commission to provide supplemental funding for these important local road projects.”

These funds will be used to help with road maintenance requirements and other road repairs. Auburn Hills plans to use the funds to help with the asphalt reconstruction of West Entrance Drive and Butler Road.

“We are pleased to receive what is essentially becoming annual assistance from the Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) implemented by Oakland County beginning a few years ago,” Kevin McDaniel, Auburn Hills mayor, said. “This year, with an increased contribution from the LRIP to Auburn Hills, we were able to reduce the city’s contribution to a significant roadway improvement on a major business corridor where hundreds of jobs are located and then re-allocate those funds to other projects. We certainly appreciate the focus that Oakland County continues to place on its local communities.”

Oakland County’s LRIP provides limited financial assistance to Oakland County cities and villages for repairs and improvements on roadways under their jurisdiction. The program ensures that the county investment in roads is multiplied by requiring local municipalities to match funding from Oakland County. Launched in 2016, the LRIP has driven an estimated $89 million investment in local roads across the county. The program is an effective means for encouraging investment in local roads, which continue to be underfunded by the State of Michigan. This lack of funding from the state and federal government has resulted in poor road conditions, which negatively impact safety, quality of life and economic development in the region.

In 2017, the Board of Commissioners’ LRIP received national recognition when it was selected for a National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award in the category of Community and Economic Development.

Commissioner Gingell represents the 1^st county commission district, which includes the City of Lake Angelus, Orion Township and the Village of Lake Orion, as well as portions of the City of Auburn Hills and Independence Township. He can be reached at 248-858-0100 or via email to gingellm@oakgov.com.

Commissioner Kuhn represents the 11^th county commission district, which includes portions of the cities of Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills and Troy. He can be reached at 248-227-2462 or via email to kuhnt@oakgov.com.

For more information, please contact the Board of Commissioners at 248-858-0100 or visit its website at www.oakgov.com/boc.

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