Marquette commission directs submission of four congressional earmark requests including ladder truck and training facility

The Marquette City Commission voted unanimously March 19 to direct the city manager to submit four congressionally directed spending (CDS) requests for fiscal year 2027, identifying projects the city considers eligible under the federal earmark process.

Commissioners and staff listed the four projects the city plans to seek funding for: a fire-department aerial platform ladder truck; a joint first-responder training facility to be developed in partnership with Northern Michigan University (NMU) near its lineman and technical programs; an engineering and structural analysis for replacement and reinforcement of the lower-harbor bulkhead; and a request category to support services for independent-living older adults.

"I am really excited to see that we are pushing again for a ladder truck," Commissioner Hamley said, adding the ladder truck is a priority for public-safety operations. City staff explained the items were selected because they meet the eligibility criteria for the CDS process and noted Marquettes rural classification affects some grant eligibility for other programs but allows these requests.

The commission directed the city manager to submit the identified requests to the appropriate federal legislative office by majority motion; the roll-call vote was recorded 6-0.