LOCAL

EATON COUNTY, Mich. — Over the past two years, the Eaton County Transportation Authority (EATRAN) has offered expanded services supported by state funding for regional initiatives, including the Grand Ledge and Charlotte Connectors. With state funding no longer available and with no sustainable local funding source to support the expanded services, EATRAN will implement the following service reductions beginning Monday, Jan. 12, 2026:

• All Saturday demand-response services will be eliminated. EATRAN will only operate Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.  
• Grand Ledge Connector service between Marketplace Boulevard and downtown Grand Ledge will be discontinued.  
• Charlotte Connector service between Marketplace Boulevard and the Eaton County Courthouse in Charlotte will be replaced by a limited EATRAN Connector service which will operate select trips in the morning and afternoon. Hours of operation, drop-off and pick-up locations will be announced prior to the service launch. 
• EATRAN customers can connect to CATA services at the Meijer on West Saginaw rather than Marketplace Boulevard. 

“EATRAN is adjusting its services to better align with funding levels and rider demand,” said Mary Clark, Chair of the EATRAN Board and Delta Township Clerk. “These updates allow us to focus resources where they are needed most while maintaining critical connections for our community.” 

For details on current EATRAN services, visit eatran.com.  

-courtesy story

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued a competitive Grant Funding Opportunity (GFO) to expand recovery support center services or recovery community center services for individuals seeking long-term recovery from substance use disorders.  

Eligible applicants must meet the definition of a Recovery Community Organization or a Recovery Community Center as defined in the GFO. 

Funding for this GFO was appropriated in the FY2026 budget to assist individuals recovering from substance use disorders, and includes both general fund dollars and opioid settlement funding. Michigan is slated to receive more than $1.8 billion from national opioid settlements by 2040, with half being distributed to the State of Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund and the other half being distributed directly to county, city and township governments.  

A total of $3.9 million is available with a maximum award of $150,000. MDHHS anticipates issuing up to 26 awards. 

Grant applications for the Recovery Support Services Competitive GFO must be submitted electronically through the EGrAMS program by 3 p.m., Friday, Jan 30. The program period begins March 1, 2026, and ends Sept. 30, 2026.  

For more information or to apply, visit the EGrAMS website and select "About EGrAMS" link in the left panel to access the "Competitive Application Instructions" training manual. The complete GFO can be accessed under the ‘Current Grants’ section under the “Specialty Behavioral Health Services” link and selecting the “RSSC-2026” grant program. 

-courtesy story