Benton Harbor Mayor Advocates for Great Lakes Cities at Washington Summit

Marcus Muhammad meets with counterparts to push for lead pipe funding and infrastructure improvements

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend a gathering of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative. At the summit, Muhammad met with other mayors and city leaders from across the Great Lakes region to advocate for their shared interests, including securing more funding for lead service line replacement and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Muhammad 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 longtime mayor of Benton Harbor, a city that has grappled with lead contamination in its water supply, Muhammad brought a critical perspective to the discussions at the Great Lakes summit. By joining forces with other regional leaders, Muhammad was able to amplify Benton Harbor's needs and push for greater federal investment in addressing water infrastructure challenges facing cities around the Great Lakes.

The details

At the summit, Muhammad and other mayors met with around 200 Washington officials, including Congressman Bill Huizenga, Senator Elissa Slotkin, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Key priorities included advocating for continued funding of the State Revolving Drinking Water Fund and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, both of which are set to expire this year. Muhammad also personally delivered a $21.6 million BUILD Grant application to the U.S. Department of Transportation to support infrastructure improvements and development along Riverview Drive in Benton Harbor.

  • Mayor Muhammad traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to attend the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative summit.
  • The State Revolving Drinking Water Fund and Great Lakes Restoration Initiative are both set to expire this year.

The players

Marcus Muhammad

The third-term mayor of Benton Harbor, Michigan, who has been a vocal advocate for addressing lead contamination in the city's water supply.

Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative

A binational coalition of over 100 U.S. and Canadian mayors and local officials working to advance the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.

Benton Harbor

A city in southwestern Michigan that has faced a lead water crisis in recent years, prompting Mayor Muhammad to make addressing the issue a top priority.

U.S. Department of Transportation

The federal agency that oversees transportation infrastructure and programs, including the BUILD Grant program that Muhammad applied for to support improvements in Benton Harbor.

Bill Huizenga

A U.S. Congressman representing Michigan's 2nd congressional district, which includes Benton Harbor.

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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.”

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

What’s next

The U.S. Department of Transportation will review Benton Harbor's $21.6 million BUILD Grant application to support infrastructure improvements and development along Riverview Drive.

The takeaway

By joining forces with other Great Lakes mayors, Benton Harbor's Marcus Muhammad was able to elevate the city's needs for lead pipe replacement funding and infrastructure investment on a national stage. This collaborative approach strengthens the collective voice of cities facing similar water quality and development challenges around the region.