TRI-CITY AREA — The 2022 calendar promises to be busy in terms of local news. In addition to being an election year, there are new infrastructure projects slated to get underway or be completed this year and planning is already underway for new and returning special events. Here’s a snapshot of what stories are on the radar currently:
•The developers of a new solar generating project anticipate submitting the necessary paperwork to Goodland Township in the coming months. Orion Renewable Energy Group L.L.C. has plans to develop a 100 megawatt solar array that will encompass approximately 2,800 acres but the actual footprint of the project will be smaller than that. At present, Orion is looking to construct a series of arrays on land between Bowers and Kohler roads.
•The Michigan Department of Transportation will undertake additional work on I-69 this year, with plans to rebuild the interstate between Lake George Rd. and M-24 in 2022. Toebe Construction was awarded the bid at $54.5 million. The work will be funded with rebuilding Michigan bond program dollars. In the coming months, the Lapeer and St. Clair County road commissions will finalize their project list for 2022.
•Work on Imlay City Schools’ new performing arts center (PAC) is projected to wrap up this fall. The $14 million addition to the high school was made possible by voters in 2019 when they went to the polls to approve a $36.8 million continuation bond. Once complete, the 500 seat facility will host choir and band performances, drama performances, presentations, assemblies, award ceremonies, extracurricular activities, dance recitals, community concerts, and local organization meetings.
•Although some months away yet, the dates for several fairs and festivals are already known.
Voters line up outside of the Imlay Township Hall in November 2020 to cast their ballots. Elections for a number of seats will take place in 2022.
The Eastern Michigan State Fair will take place July 26-30. That’s also the same month the St. Clair County 4-H and Youth Fair will happen July 18-23.
One month earlier the fairgrounds in Imlay City will play host to Sasquatch UnCut from June 24-25. The inaugural event was held last year in downtown Imlay City and recently organizers announced they planned to stage the 2022 two-day event at the fairgrounds. Also coming to the fairgrounds in 2022 is the Woods-N-Water News Outdoor Weekend from Sept. 9 to 11.
Returning in 2022, will be Attica Days. On July 15 and 16, guests can expect a car and motorcycle show, live music and much more.
•Voters will head to the polls at least twice in 2022 for local, state and federal elections. Because of redistricting, voters will also need to spend time getting acquainted with new districts and candidates for Congress, the State Senate and State House and County Commission. Elections for city and village representatives and school board members will also occur in 2022.
The primary election will be held on August 2 and the general election will be held on November 8.
The filing deadlines for 2022 elections are as follows:
•March 21 for incumbent circuit, district and probate court judges
•April 19 for candidates for circuit, district and probate judgeships
•April 19 for candidates seeking partisan and nonpartisan offices in the August primary election
•April 26 for petitions to place county and local questions on the August primary ballot
•July 21 for independent candidates seeking partisan offices for the November general election
•July 26 for candidates seeking school board or community college trustee seats
•July 26 for candidates for village offices
•August 2 for petitions to place county and local questions on the November ballot.
