Financial aid for businesses and families attempting to rebuild in Kalamazoo, Cass, Branch, and St. Joseph counties would have been made available through the declaration.
In a written statement, State Senator Sean McCann of Kalamazoo expressed his dissatisfaction with the ruling.
McCann expressed disappointment over the decision that affects real people and shared that he has already requested Governor Whitmer to appeal it.
According to City Manager Pat McGinnis, Portage is amongst the numerous communities in Southwest Michigan that were expected to gain from a disaster declaration. However, despite this hurdle, the community remains steadfast in its commitment to rebuilding and recovering from the impact of the disaster.
“In a statement, McGinnis expressed that our teams are working non-stop to provide aid and organize the cleanup operations. We are teaming up with local organizations, volunteers and other available resources to guarantee that our residents receive the necessary support during these difficult times,” stated McGinnis.
According to Mary Beth Block, a spokesperson for Portage, the city is also urging Governor Whitmer to pursue an appeal.
