Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the National Guard at the Grand Ledge Armory on a tour of the new shower and toilet facilities and lactation room.
Courtesy photo
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) secured federal resources in government funding bill to fund armory modernization projects
LANSING, MI— The Michigan National Guard (MING) received $26 million in federal funding to continue modernizing facilities used by the Michigan Army National Guard (MIARNG) to address inequities that exist in the facilities provided to Michigan’s women service members.
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) announced that he secured nearly $26 million for the National Guard Bureau to modernize armories across Michigan to ensure they have adequate facilities for women service members. At the time many of these buildings were constructed, the structure and composition of the MIARNG force was primarily male and facilities, like restrooms and showers, were designed with that in mind. Today, nearly 1,500 women serve in the MIARNG.
However, very few of the facilities used for drill and other activities have been updated to reflect women’s needs. The modernization project will provide for necessary improvements including new toilet and shower facilities and lactation rooms. Peters also led a call for the National Guard Bureau to match the $55 million allocated by Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the State of Michigan for modernization efforts.
“The women who serve in the MIARNG deserve access to facilities that meet their needs and allow them to focus on their training and missions,” said Gov. Whitmer. “Thanks to Senator Peters’ advocacy, we have secured resources to modernize our military facilities for women service members, building on efforts we have made at the state level. Let’s keep working together to modernize our facilities and ensure the Michiganders who serve have what they need to get the job done.”
“Women service members must have access to equal and adequate facilities, and I’m pleased to have secured these federal resources to make that a reality,” said Senator Peters, a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.
“When we modernize Michigan’s military facilities and invest in our troops, we send a clear signal that we support the entirety of our force and their ability to effectively carry out their missions.” “We are grateful to Senator Peters for his leadership and efforts to secure critical resources for the modernization of our facilities,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “As more women join the MIARNG, these new facilities are vital to make sure our troops feel supported and have the resources necessary to thrive and be mission ready.”
The nearly $26 million in federal funding secured by Peters will allow for construction to begin at the following armories in Michigan:
Alma: $940,000
Alpena: $1,250,000
Augusta: $1,330,000
Bay City: $720,000
Detroit Light Guard: $1,430,000
Detroit Olympia: $2,280,000
Grayling Bldg. 3: $945,000
Jackson: $1,140,000
Lapeer: $2,220,000
Midland: $2,480,000
Montague: $1,370,000
Port Huron: $3,200,000
Sault Ste Marie: $3,850,000
Taylor: $945,000
About Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs The Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) synchronizes strategic, legislative and fiscal initiatives to build and sustain military readiness, care and advocacy for veterans and cultivate purposeful partnerships. Branch operations include Michigan Veteran Homes, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, State Operations, Army National Guard and Air National Guard which stand in support of our mission to serve every member. For more information, please visit their website at https://www.michigan.gov/dmva
