This media release was issued by the Agricultural Leaders of Michigan (ALM). March 18, 2021 — The Agricultural Leaders of Michigan (ALM) today emphasized the urgent need for new federal investment to address the rural infrastructure crisis. The coalition of Michigan agriculture leaders encouraged Congress and the Biden administration to strive for a bipartisan solution that includes a focus on rural roads, bridges, rail, waterways and broadband. “Rural Michigan is in a full-blown infrastructure crisis,” said Chuck Lippstreu, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association. “And the needs go well beyond fixing the roads. Rural bridges and rail lines that provide critical links for commerce are falling apart. Rural families struggle to access the reliable, high-speed broadband they need for education and telemedicine. A bold, bipartisan infrastructure solution can’t come soon enough for rural America.” Following approval of the American Rescue Plan, leaders in Congress and the Biden administration are reportedly exploring the potential for bipartisan action on infrastructure. In January, a wide range of rural and agricultural organizations – including agribusiness, farm credit, pork and dairy organizations across America – outlined the wide-ranging needs of rural communities in a letter to the Biden administration. “Rural communities and our Michigan agriculture sector do their best to overcome challenges posed by crumbling infrastructure, but the problem isn’t going away and it’s getting worse,” said Mary Kelpinski, CEO at Michigan Pork Producers Association. “Rural Michigan desperately needs new investment to fix our roads and bridges, enhance rail service and ramp up rural broadband. A major infrastructure effort would benefit rural businesses, education, healthcare and beyond.” “As a lender that works closely with both farmers and Main Street rural businesses, we see every day the impact of the infrastructure crisis in rural Michigan,” said Dave Armstrong, president and CEO at GreenStone Farm Credit Services. “It is essential for the agriculture industry to have access to reliable, modern infrastructure at all points on the supply chain. That reality right now – and too often – is that rural infrastructure is falling apart. The potential for a bipartisan infrastructure bill is very promising for agriculture and rural Michigan.” “Infrastructure is a critical need across the nation and presents a bipartisan opportunity for our leaders in Washington,” said Joe Diglio, president and CEO at Michigan Milk Producers Association. “Rural Michigan is truly amid an infrastructure crisis. Our roads, bridges, rail and water systems are failing. We need help, and we are hopeful that a bipartisan solution could be on the horizon.” ### Agricultural Leaders of Michigan is a coalition of agricultural, commodity and agribusiness leaders committed to promoting Michigan agriculture, participating in the ongoing dialogue about issues affecting our state, and harnessing agriculture’s power and potential to further grow Michigan’s economy. The coalition is made up of GreenStone Farm Credit Services; the Michigan Agri-Business Association; the Michigan Milk Producers Association; and the Michigan Pork Producers Association. Learn more at www.agleadersmi.com.
