A Four County Community Foundation survey identified a lack of public transportation for residents who live in the eastern portions of Lapeer County.
Local foundation eyes funds,
collaboration to fill the need
LAPEER COUNTY — A recent survey conducted by the Four County Community Foundation revealed that the lack of public transportation is of significant concern to many Lapeer County residents.
4CCF Director Kathy Dickens reported that a 2019 Community Needs Assessment ranked public transportation as one of the county’s greatest needs.
“One of the frequently mentioned needs was for public transportation in the eastern portion of Lapeer County,” Dickens said. “While citizens of all ages and socio-economic status are impacted by this, it seems an issue that most critically affects our senior citizens.”
She alluded to seniors as being the group that most frequently needs access to transportation to get them to medical and other health-related appointments.
Dickens said she recently consulted with Kelly Bales, executive director of the Greater Lapeer Transportation Authority (GLTA) and local government officials about the lack of transportation services.
The GLTA Authority includes the City of Lapeer and townships of Deerfield, Elba, Lapeer, Mayfield and Oregon.
The survey suggested there is a shortage of public transportation services in eastern Lapeer County, which includes: the City of Imlay City, Village of Almont, along with Imlay, Almont, Attica and Goodland townships.
“While all parties agree that something needs to be done,” Dickens said, “it is the identification of solutions that will require a more collaborative effort.”
In an effort to expedite the process, Dickens said she intends to apply for a Michigan Health Endowment Grant, whose application deadline is Jan. 15, 2021.
“A concept paper was already favorably reviewed,” she said. “If approved, the grant could provide as much as $100,000 to thoroughly study the transportation shortage.”
Dickens said it is expected that the grant money would be used to hire a professional consultant, who would study the issue and help to create a plan to resolve the issue.
“This could put us in a good position to see further funding if needed,” she said.
In the meantime, Dickens said interested individuals, agencies and organizations are invited to participate in a Zoom meeting on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021 at 9 a.m.
For information and details on how to participate in the meeting, contact the Four County Community Foundation at 810-798-0909 or kdickens@4ccf.org.
Tom Wearing started at the Tri-City Times in 1989, covering the Village of Capac as a beat reporter. He later served stints as assistant editor and editor. Today, he covers Imlay City and Almont as a staff writer. He enjoys music and plays drums and sings with various musical groups in the Detroit Metropolitan area.
