County Board To Hold Hearing
On Offshore Wind Farm
The Mason County Board of Commissioners will hold
a public hearing in May regarding the Scandia Offshore
Wind Farm being proposed in Lake Michigan between
Ludington and Pentwater. The exact date of the meeting
has not been scheduled, but officials say it will
include a presentation from Scandia Wind regarding
their latest proposal. The company is asking the County
Board to decide by September 1st whether or not they
are in favor of the project. County Administrator
Fabian Knizacky says the county’s role in the
proposed wind farm is merely an advisory decision
as the final say ultimately rests with the state.
The County Board agreed that more research needs to
be done regarding the proposed wind farm before any
decisions are made at the county level.
__________________________________________________________
Renovations Proposed At Western
Michigan Fairgrounds
The Western Michigan Fair Association
is hoping to make more than $300-thousand in renovations
to the Fair Grounds in Ludington. Fair Board President
Kirk Myers says the renovations would include a new
sign at the entrance to the fairgrounds and paving
roads within the fairgrounds to provide universal
access to the facilities. The Fair Board is applying
for a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant
in the amount of $320-thousand to help pay for the
renovations. If the grant is awarded, construction
would begin at the fairgrounds in 2011.
_________________________________________________________
Building Permits Down 28%
In Mason County
Zoning and Building permits in Mason
County were down 28-percent last year while revenue
for the department was down 30-percent. Zoning and
Building Director Mary Reilly says the decrease is
a direct result of the poor economy, saying fewer
people are doing home repairs or building new construction.
_________________________________________________________
Unemployment Rates Fall
Slightly In Michigan
Michigan's jobless rate dropped slightly
to 14.3 percent in January. The jobless rate reported
is down from a revised rate of 14.5 percent in December.
It was still significantly above the year ago rate
of 11-point-three percent. Michigan continues to have
the highest jobless rate. Michigan has held the top
spot for four consecutive years.
_________________________________________________________
For complete news coverage, listen
to Z-95 at 6:55am, 7:55am, 8:55am & 11:55am.
