Benton Harbor Mayor Advocates for Great Lakes Cities at Washington Meetings

Muhammad secures support for infrastructure grant and lead service line funding during Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative conference

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad recently returned from a trip to Washington, D.C. where he met with other mayors and city leaders from across the Great Lakes region at the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative conference. During the meetings, Muhammad advocated for increased funding for lead service line replacement, the State Revolving Drinking Water Fund, and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. He also personally delivered a $21.6 million grant application to the U.S. Department of Transportation to support infrastructure improvements and development along Riverview Drive in Benton Harbor.

Why it matters

As a mayor of a city that has grappled with lead contamination in its water supply, Muhammad's advocacy for lead service line replacement funding is crucial for Benton Harbor and other Great Lakes communities facing similar challenges. The infrastructure grant he applied for could also help spur economic development and improve quality of life in the Riverview Drive area.

The details

During the conference, Muhammad and other mayors met with around 200 Washington officials, including Congressman Bill Huizenga, Senator Elissa Slotkin, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer. They discussed a range of issues important to Great Lakes cities, including lead service line replacement, the State Revolving Drinking Water Fund, and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Muhammad personally delivered Benton Harbor's application for a $21.6 million BUILD Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, which would be used to prevent flooding and support residential and commercial development along Riverview Drive.

  • Muhammad traveled to Washington, D.C. this week for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative meetings.
  • The State Revolving Drinking Water Fund and Great Lakes Restoration Initiative that Muhammad advocated for are set to expire this year.

The players

Marcus Muhammad

The third-term mayor of Benton Harbor, Michigan who represented the city's interests at the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative conference in Washington, D.C.

Bill Huizenga

U.S. Congressman who Muhammad met with during the conference.

Elissa Slotkin

U.S. Senator from Michigan who provided a letter of support for Benton Harbor's infrastructure grant application.

Gretchen Whitmer

Governor of Michigan who also provided a letter of support for Benton Harbor's infrastructure grant application.

Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative

A coalition of mayors and other local officials from cities in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River region who advocate for the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes.

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What they’re saying

“Advocating for a lead service line funding was huge. The SRF funding, which expires this year, we were advocating for more funding in that area. State revolving drinking water fund, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which is funded typically for five years that expires.”

— Marcus Muhammad, Mayor of Benton Harbor (wsjm.com)

“Obviously, my focus was laser in representing Benton Harbor and representing the group and what it means for the whole. Collectively, our voices are and were much stronger.”

— Marcus Muhammad, Mayor of Benton Harbor (wsjm.com)

What’s next

The U.S. Department of Transportation will review Benton Harbor's $21.6 million BUILD Grant application for the Riverview Drive infrastructure project. If approved, the funding could help transform the area with new housing, restaurants, bike trails, and green spaces.

The takeaway

Benton Harbor's mayor leveraged the collective power of Great Lakes cities to advocate for critical funding and resources, including lead service line replacement and infrastructure improvements. This type of regional collaboration is crucial for addressing the unique challenges facing communities along the Great Lakes.