WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin, both D-Mich., announced $750,000 in funding from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development to support Central Michigan University’s public television stations. These Public Television Digital Transition Grants are to be used for the purchase of digital production equipment including cameras, editing, mixing and storage equipment. The coverage area of this grant includes three digital stations serving central and northern Michigan.

“I am glad to see that the USDA is working towards the goal of implementing strong and viable rural development strategies for the people of Michigan,” said Stabenow. “These funds will drastically benefit communities across the state of Michigan as many of our rural communities are still transitioning to digital television.”

“I am pleased so many communities across central and northern Michigan will benefit from this funding,” Levin said. “Public television programming can be a powerful educational tool, and it is important that it will continue to be available now that the digital television transition is complete.”

The following counties will benefit from this grant: Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clare, Crawford, Emmet, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Isabella, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Midland, Missaukee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon and Wexford.

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