Resources Archives - Prein&Newhof

August 24, 2026

By Jackie Steinbruch, SHRM-CP, PHR

Each summer, Prein&Newhof welcomes a new group of interns into our offices and project teams. For students, an internship is a chance to take what they have learned in the classroom and see how it applies to real projects. For us, it is an opportunity to introduce future professionals to the work we do and help them better understand where their interests may take them.

Jackie Steinbruch, SHRM-CP, PHR at Prein&Newhof’s Grand Rapids front desk.

As the person who coordinates our summer internship program, one of the most rewarding parts of the experience is watching students grow over the course of a few months. They arrive with different levels of experience and different ideas about what their future careers might look like. By the end of the summer, they have had the chance to work alongside experienced professionals and gain a much clearer picture of the industry.

Our goal is to give interns meaningful exposure to the day-to-day realities of their field. Depending on their role, that may mean assisting with design, spending time on construction sites, or seeing how projects move from plans to finished work. That field experience can be especially valuable for students pursuing civil engineering.

Construction Observation Intern David Clark has spent the past two summers with Prein&Newhof and described how seeing projects built has shaped the way he thinks about engineering:

“Through my summer internship with Prein&Newhof, I have gained valuable experience and knowledge of both the civil engineering and construction industries. Spending all day on the construction site shows you how designs go from drawings to real life. This is the biggest takeaway I’ve gotten from my past two summers interning with P&N, that you have to have an understanding of how the project physically comes to life in the field to successfully design and execute a project well. Knowing how the physical process works makes the designing phase for a project that much easier for not only the engineer, but also the contractor.
I’m inspired to be a part of the civil engineering industry because of the multitude of people that the projects we work on impact. Whether it be new roads, walking paths, or clean water, people are impacted by our work each and every day. Much of the work done is for the greater good of society and less for the self, which is a rewarding feeling when you leave work every day.
My goals for the future are to continue doing work for the greater good of society. If being a civil engineer leads to making positive impacts in our cities, states, or even country, then I know I made the right decision in my career path.”

A few of our 2026 summer interns from left to right: David Clark, Max Haveman, Caleb Herder, Connor Million, and Megan Bushart.

David’s experience captures much of what we hope students take away from their time here. Seeing how a project is actually built gives future engineers context they can carry back into design work and helps them understand the practical side of decisions made on paper. Internships also give students room to figure out what kind of work they enjoy. Civil engineering covers a wide range of projects and career paths, and real-world experience can make those possibilities feel much more concrete.

Our interns bring plenty to Prein&Newhof as well. Their questions and perspectives are a valuable part of the summer, and our staff always enjoys the opportunity to share what they have learned along the way. At the end of the summer, we hope each intern leaves with useful experience and a clearer sense of where they want to go next. Seeing students like David connect their work to the communities it serves is one of the best parts of the program and a strong reminder of why these opportunities matter.

Throughout multiple sessions, our 2026 interns gathered with P&N staff to give end-of-internship presentations about their summer work experiences.

July 28, 2026

By Collin Manns, PLA

Parks have always had an impact on my life. As far back as I can remember, they have been the setting for some of my earliest memories. I can remember climbing on the playground, rolling through the dirt, and then racing my parents back to the car.

I loved going to the community park in our neighborhood. It had a ballfield where my dad and I would play catch and a community building where people gathered to celebrate the Fourth of July. It had access to the nearby river and plenty of open space for me to run around or ride my bike. It was a place where people could enjoy different activities, spend time with family, and connect with others in the neighborhood.

As a kid, I noticed certain things whenever I visited a park. I would scope out the playground and evaluate how high it would allow me to climb, or I would look for a ballfield where I could run around or play catch with my dad and siblings. I didn’t realize it then, but even as a kid I was taking inventory of what made parks and public spaces so great. I appreciated having a space dedicated to a wide range of activities that anyone could enjoy with family and friends, even if I didn’t yet understand why those places were so meaningful.

Looking back, I can see how those experiences shaped the way I think about public spaces and ultimately influenced my career. What drew me to landscape architecture was that it allows me to take all the little things I’ve experienced over the years, both as a child and now as an adult, and use them to help create spaces that encourage people to go outside and be with one another. Each community has its own needs, and part of the landscape architect’s role is to understand those needs and determine how a space can best serve the people who will use it.

As I’ve grown in the profession, I’ve also come to appreciate how important parks and public gathering places are to a community. These places are sometimes referred to as “third places,” meaning the casual places outside of work and home where people can relax, socialize, and connect with each other. Third places are important because they serve as the meeting grounds that facilitate the human connections and interactions that help create a sense of community and healthy living.

Creating those opportunities for connection requires thoughtful planning. When designing and conceptualizing a public space, we need to consider how people will move through it as well as what might encourage them to stop and stay for a while. A successful gathering place should feel neutral and welcoming, allowing people to linger without feeling like they need to keep moving or make a purchase.

Seating is one element that can help create that feeling. A mixture of semi-fixed tables and movable chairs gives visitors choices based on how they want to use the space, while open green areas can accommodate families or community gatherings. Providing shade and viewpoints can also make a space more comfortable and encourage people to stay longer. Accessibility must be considered throughout the design so that people of different ages and abilities can feel welcome and participate in the space.

That’s one of the things I enjoy most about projects like the City of Whitehall’s West Colby Promenade, which is currently under construction. It’s exciting to help create a space designed to bring people together, whether they are stopping for lunch, attending a community event, or simply enjoying time near the waterfront. The project includes gathering areas and amenities intended to strengthen the connection between downtown Whitehall and the waterfront while giving residents and visitors another reason to spend time in the area.

Projects like this show how landscape architecture can help turn an area people might otherwise pass through into a place where they want to stay. The goal is to consider how each element works together and how the completed space will fit into the community’s daily life. When a public space is comfortable and connected to its surroundings, it can support both planned events and the small, everyday moments that happen naturally.

As I’ve gotten older, my own priorities have shifted, and new things have started to stand out when I visit a park. Occasionally, I still look for ballfields to run around on, but now with my toddler, I also notice practical details like how far away the restrooms are or whether there is enough parking. My wife and I have always enjoyed visiting parks to unwind, but now we especially seek out places with the defining features of a good third place. We look for places that allow us to engage together as a family and play with our son. Play equipment for our toddler is important, but we also value open green space where we can run around together and a shaded place where we can sit down for a snack.

These experiences have given me a better understanding of how one park can serve people differently depending on where they are in life. A child might be focused entirely on the playground or the nearest ballfield, while a parent may be thinking about seating and restrooms. Someone else might visit for a walk, a community celebration, or a quiet place to spend time outdoors. A thoughtful design makes room for those different experiences without making any one group feel like the space was not created for them.

As a child, I looked at parks as an outlet to play sports and associated them with being active. As I got older, I realized that parks encompass so much more and can serve many different purposes within our lives. They provide space for people to gather and spend time outdoors, but they also become part of how we experience our communities and remember different stages of our lives.

That is what continues to inspire me as a landscape architect. The spaces we design may eventually become the setting for someone’s family outing or neighborhood tradition. They may be where a child learns to ride a bike, where friends meet after work, or where a family simply slows down together for an afternoon. Knowing that the places we help create can become part of someone else’s memories makes the work especially meaningful to me.

June 1, 2026

By Jim Rinke

At Prein&Newhof, environmental consulting focuses on helping clients understand what’s beneath the surface and what it means for the future of their projects and communities. That work is continuing to grow, and I’m grateful to now be part of a team that approaches complex environmental challenges with both technical expertise and a clear focus on practical solutions.

My path to becoming a geologist and working in environmental consulting didn’t follow a straight line. I actually started out in the engineering program at Grand Valley State University. Although engineering was interesting, I never really felt like I had found my place. I made a trip to see the head of the Geology Department and knew right away that this was where I belonged. Physics applied to chemistry with a bit of camping mixed in.

After graduating from GVSU, I applied to geology jobs all over the country. The call I received was from Detroit, where I started my professional career as an Environmental Geologist with Arcadis. While there, I was exposed to a variety of field work including underground storage tank removals, subsurface vapor sampling, mercury spills, asbestos cleanups, drilling, and monitoring well installations. It was great experience, but I wasn’t ready to call Eastern Michigan home. I wanted to see a little more of the world.

I left environmental geology and headed back to school to work toward a master’s degree in geology at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington. Getting back into school was difficult but well worth it, and nothing like I expected. I thought I would end up in structural geology, but a professor who specialized in creating digital models of tectonic activity recruited me for a seismology study in Western Antarctica. Antarctica sounded like the adventure I was looking for despite having no experience in seismology.

Two years later, armed with a degree focused on seismics, it was time to rejoin the workforce. A friend from GVSU had been working for a mining company and helped connect me with a copper mine in Arizona. About a year in the desert of Bagdad, Arizona was enough for me, so I transferred to a molybdenum mine in Climax, Colorado. Living high in the Rocky Mountains brought beautiful seasons, incredible views, and plenty of hiking, camping, skiing, and biking.

I didn’t want to leave Colorado, but I was ready to leave the mine. With few opportunities for geologists nearby, I had to think outside the box. I had been homebrewing since graduate school and was a regular at local breweries when I was invited to spend time in the brewhouse to see what it was like. It was more fun than I’d had in a long time, and they called it work. It blended science and art in a way that immediately clicked for me.

A friend was opening a new brewery, and I joined him to help make it happen. I helped finish construction on the building, install brewing equipment, brew the first batch of beer, and open the doors to the public. Over the next eight years, I brewed hundreds of batches of beer and helped grow the brewery into one of the most popular in the county. After nearly a decade of crafting beverages, it was time to get back to something more sustainable. The physical demands were catching up with me, and I had now been away from home and family for almost 20 years. It was time to come home and return to the career that started it all.

Environmental work often begins with uncertainty. A site may look ready for development, a property may appear unchanged for decades, or a system may seem to be functioning as expected. Below the surface, conditions can tell a very different story. The role of environmental consulting is to identify those unknowns early and provide clarity so informed decisions can be made with confidence.

Our team supports clients through site assessments and investigations, regulatory navigation, and remediation and long-term management strategies. We work alongside clients to evaluate and address environmental conditions in a way that is both responsible and achievable. It’s not about applying a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s about understanding the specific conditions of each site and responding accordingly.

In recent years, one area has become an increasingly important part of that work: PFAS. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used for decades in manufacturing and consumer products. Their persistence in the environment means they do not break down easily and can accumulate in soil and water over time. Because of that, understanding where PFAS is present and what it means has become critical for many communities across Michigan.

Our approach to PFAS reflects the broader way we think about environmental challenges. It starts with investigation, identifying potential sources and evaluating the extent of impact. From there, we help clients interpret what the data means and navigate evolving regulations to determine next steps. That work is supported by our Prein&Newhof Laboratory, where certified testing provides reliable data for PFAS and other contaminants. Having that capability in-house allows us to connect field observations with clear results and move more efficiently from questions to answers.

Even with all the technical aspects involved, this work is ultimately about people. Every site we evaluate and every sample we analyze connects back to a larger purpose, whether that’s protecting a drinking water source, supporting a redevelopment project, or helping a community better understand its environment.

For me, PFAS is personal, not just technical. I found out how harmful PFAS could be before I really understood what PFAS were. In 2018, just two weeks after the grand opening of the brewery, I was diagnosed with a type of cancer linked to PFOA exposure. I grew up on well water in an area later identified as a PFAS site. At first, I appeared healthy and cancer free, but it spread and returned four years later. This time surgery wasn’t enough and chemotherapy was prescribed.

Unfortunately, most of us know someone who has faced cancer and understand how difficult it can be, not just for the person going through it but for everyone around them. I was fortunate in many ways and made it through relatively unscathed. I hope to use my experience to help others facing similar challenges. At the very least, I can now help identify areas of PFAS contamination and be part of a team working to prevent it from harming others.

Experiences like that bring the purpose of this work into sharper focus. Environmental consulting is often about identifying risks that aren’t immediately visible and helping others understand them before they become larger problems. It requires careful analysis and a commitment to doing the work thoroughly. That commitment shows up in how we approach each project. We focus on understanding the full picture, communicating findings in a way that is useful and actionable, and developing solutions that support long-term outcomes.

All the changes in direction, the challenges, and the experiences have built me into who I am and prepared me to be here. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to apply all of this with a company that believes in what they do. I look forward to getting reinvested in the community I grew up in and using my knowledge and experience to help create a cleaner environment. It wasn’t the straightest line, but it has been an adventure.

Environmental conditions are not always visible, but their impact is. The work we do helps bring those conditions into focus so communities can decide what comes next. It’s a responsibility I take seriously, and one I’m proud to carry forward as part of this team.

April 28, 2026

Water is part of nearly everything we do. It supports our homes, our work, our communities, and the systems we rely on every day. But behind that water is an important question: what’s really in it? At Prein&Newhof, our laboratory exists to help answer that question.

Every day, water samples arrive at our laboratory from across Michigan. Some come from municipal systems working to meet regulatory requirements. Others come from businesses monitoring their operations or homeowners looking to better understand their private wells. Each sample represents a need for clear, reliable information.

Our laboratory is Drinking Water Certified by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and provides testing for a wide range of water quality indicators, including bacteria, metals such as lead and copper, PFAS, and other organic and inorganic compounds.

That level of testing plays an important role in protecting public health and supporting the systems that deliver and manage water. Whether it’s helping a municipality confirm compliance, supporting an industry in meeting discharge requirements, or giving a homeowner confidence in their drinking water, accurate testing is the foundation for making informed decisions.

But the work doesn’t stop at the data. Our team focuses on delivering results with a quick turnaround in a way that is clear and actionable. From sample collection through analysis and reporting, we follow strict protocols designed for accuracy and compliance while helping our clients to understand what their results mean and what steps to take next.

We also recognize that water challenges are always evolving. Emerging contaminants like PFAS and increased regulatory expectations continue to shape how water systems are managed across Michigan. Reliable laboratory testing helps communities and organizations respond to those challenges with confidence and clarity to protect both public health and the environment.

At its core, our laboratory supports something simple but essential: understanding water so it can be reliably managed and protected. Because when we understand what’s in our water, we can make better decisions for the people and places that depend on it.

April 7, 2026

This blog is part of our ongoing Shovel Ready campaign—a Prein&Newhof initiative designed to help communities prepare their infrastructure projects now, so when funding opportunities open, they are ready to move. From prioritizing projects and completing preliminary engineering to understanding how funding programs actually work, getting shovel ready means removing the barriers between a good idea and a funded one.

One of the most common barriers? Believing you are limited to a single funding source. If you’ve ever explored grant funding for an infrastructure or community project, you’ve probably heard some version of this: you can’t apply for multiple grants for the same project. It’s a common belief that also happens to be one of the most limiting. In reality, combining funding sources isn’t just allowed, it’s often expected.

Hear how Scott Post, PE, busts this common myth in our latest “Shovel Ready Mythbusters” video and why rethinking your funding approach could open the door to more flexible and successful project strategies.

Why does this myth stick around?

On the surface, it makes sense to assume funding programs want to be the sole contributor to a project. Many applications ask detailed questions about scope, schedule, budget, and need, and it can feel like introducing multiple sources might complicate things or raise red flags. However, most funding programs are designed with a different goal in mind: they want to see projects succeed. Success often requires more than one funding source, and this is expected.

What does “strategic stacking” really mean?

Strategic stacking is the practice of combining multiple funding sources to fully support a project. One grant might cover design. Another might support construction. A third might help to meet matching requirements. Rather than weakening an application, this approach can make it stronger. When done well, it shows reviewers that:

The project is well thought out
The funding plan is realistic
The community is committed to seeing it through

It also helps close funding gaps that might otherwise delay or scale back a project.

What are funding reviewers actually looking for?

One of the most important takeaways from Scott’s advice is about transparency. When multiple funding sources are involved, it’s not something to hide or downplay. It should be clearly explained. Reviewers want to understand how the full picture comes together. That includes:

What each funding source is supporting
How gaps are being filled
How the project will move from concept to completion

Clarity builds confidence in your project plans. If you’re considering multiple funding sources, start by telling the full story early. Be straightforward in your application narrative and show how each piece fits. Help reviewers see not just the project, but the path to making it happen. That clarity can make the difference between a project that feels uncertain and one that feels ready.

Ready to move your project forward?

Funding doesn’t have to be a one-path process. In many cases, the strongest projects are the ones that bring together the right mix of resources. Understanding this can change how you approach your next opportunity.

If you have a project on your list but aren’t sure how to piece the funding together, your Prein&Newhof project manager can help you think through the options from identifying the right programs to building a strategy that makes your application competitive. The goal is to make sure your project is ready to move when the right opportunity opens.

Ready to get started on your project? Reach out to your project manager or contact us to start the conversation.

– Jason Washler, PE

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Stay tuned for more Shovel Ready Mythbusters where we take on the misconceptions that slow projects down and keep funding on the table.

Follow along on our blog and social channels or sign up for our Grants and Loans Guidebook to stay connected to the funding resources that matter most.

March 3, 2026

Think your community is too small to get big bucks for its projects? Check out this story.

Proactive Village gets $2.85 million for New Bridge

You don’t need to tell the Village of Muir residents to “quit slackin’ and make it happen.” In 2012, the village with a population of roughly 600 needed a new bridge over the Twin Rivers for safety, convenience, and economic reasons. The former bridge was over 100 years old but was a vital link to health and safety services for the residents, with alternate routes adding 7-10 miles to a traveler’s trip.

The catch? This project had a $3.5 million price tag. That is a huge cost for a small community. However, nothing would stop them from making it happen.

The Village got to work and engaged its citizens: fundraising efforts included a jellybean sale at the Ionia County Fair, a lemonade stand, and Lions Club lotteries and engraved brick sales. Village leaders volunteered nearly 900 hours of their personal time to raise money for this project. Village President Doug Hyland made multiple presentations to other local stakeholders to find support for the project.

Muir received $2.85 million from a Federal Grant and worked to raise the other funds through grant programs ($200,000), other stakeholders and surrounding communities ($200,000), and the Village of Muir and Friends of the Bridge ($250,000).

In 2015, the Village completed construction of its new bridge. The old bridge was repurposed as a non-motorized crossing connecting the newly opened CIS trail segment through Muir, a facet to the overall project that created more funding opportunities.

“It has been incredible to see a community pull together and achieve this,” Prein&Newhof Project Manager Jason Washler said of the 3-year fundraising effort. “They wouldn’t give up. That’s why they saw this bridge built.”

Ten Years Later: Village Funds New Sensory Park

The small, tight-knit community of Village of Muir has two parks: Douglas Park on the northwest side and Railroad Street Park on the southwest side.

The need for an inclusive play space was identified for the Village’s 2017 Recreation Plan through public surveys, community feedback, and demographic and economic data. The Village planned to develop the Muir Sensory Park next to Railroad Street Park and alongside the Fred Meijer Clinton, Ionia, Shiawassee (CIS) Trail, an MDOT-managed trail that runs between Ionia and Owosso.

The Village of Muir hired Prein&Newhof to sketch out the concept plan, assist with the grant application, and eventually perform design and construction engineering to make this park a reality.

In February 2023, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program opened the 2023 Public Gathering Spaces Initiative competitive funding round. To be considered, a community’s proposed project must provide benefit to at least 51-percent low- and moderate-income populations in the state while increasing usability, accessibility, and seasonality within new or existing community spaces.

The Sensory Park project was awarded a $1.2 million grant in 2024. It is designed to serve all Muir residents and nearby communities, with a particular benefit for individuals with disabilities. According to the Ionia County ISD, about 14.99% of their outreach area includes individuals managing disabilities. The design includes a hillside slide, zipline, several different types of play areas, fireplace, performance area with grass seating, bike repair station, gazebo, ramps, and additional parking.

The Takeaway

These true stories highlight the importance of taking proactive steps: getting your story ready, showing funding initiative, getting the community involved, and getting creative with making connections.

Prein&Newhof can help! We’ve prepared some tools to help with this:

Funding Radar Check-in: We flag programs that match your project goals and let you know what’s coming.
Shovel-Ready Checklist: A guide and checklist to make sure your project is as ready as it can be for funding.
Story-Telling Tools: Filling out forms is the bare minimum. Identifying the story behind your project and telling that story in impactful ways will accelerate your project funding efforts.

Ask us about aligning your project for 2026 funding opportunities now!

February 26, 2026

By Brian Merk, PE

When I graduated from Michigan State University in the Spring of 2015, I didn’t know what would be in store for me as I began my career in Airport Engineering. I had never encountered it in my studies, and very few colleges even taught it. And yet, there was something that Prein&Newhof Project Manager Jason Washler told me during my interview that hooked me into the aviation industry. He told me that an airport is like a small city; they have their own roadway network, fire department, police department, water, sanitary, and storm systems, and a broad network of airfield pavement that make flight possible. As a civil engineer, maintaining and improving that critical infrastructure is where the real work—and passion—lies.

Airports are more than transportation facilities. They are also social and economic infrastructure. Commercial service airports, like the Gerald R. Ford International Airport and the Cherry Capital Airport, connect their communities to national and international networks. This connectivity not only supports leisure travel to and from their communities, but it also enables businesses to compete on a national or global scale.

Gerald R. Ford International Airport – Deicing and Stormwater Natural Treatment System

General aviation (GA) airports are public-use facilities serving non-commercial, business, and recreational flying—think single engine puddle-jumper. GA airports are often less visible and not always financially supported by their communities. However, these airports are a crucial cog in the national airspace system. GA airports provide safe access to aviation for many individuals and businesses. Maybe most notably, they provide a crucial stepping stone for commercial airline pilots to kick off their training. The commercial aviation system depends on GA airports to sustain the pilot pipeline and support regional access. Without healthy GA infrastructure, the broader aviation network can weaken over time. Together, GA and commercial airports form a connected system. GA airports feed regional facilities, regional facilities feed hubs, and hubs connect to the world. GA airports also provide infrastructure for crucial life-safety flights in and out of rural communities; every minute counts in emergency situations, and having access to flight can save lives.

Roscommon County Blodgett Memorial Airport – Reconstruct Runway 9

As passengers, we patiently wait for our row to be called over the speaker, walk our way through the boarding bridge, and buckle up while our aircraft taxis to the runway. As we anxiously await our turn to throttle up and take off, we rarely think about what’s beneath the ground. And when you’re seated inside a Boeing 747, whose max takeoff weight is nearly 1 million pounds, you can thank the carefully engineered pavement—with its thickness measured in feet—for supporting its massive load.

Unlike some infrastructure systems, airports must remain operational while under construction. This requires careful planning and phasing and often requires night work. Engineering decisions must balance safety, constructability, cost, and long-term performance. These decisions can be the difference between restricting future growth or supporting reliable service for decades.

Airports are not luxuries. They are essential infrastructure that supports economic vitality, workforce development, and national connectivity. General aviation airports build the foundation. Commercial airports extend that reach to the world. Airport engineering ensures the system functions safely and efficiently. When airports work well, they fade into the background of daily life. But behind that reliability is careful planning and long-term thinking. Airports connect communities to opportunity, and airport engineering makes that connection possible.

January 26, 2026

“Cognitive psychologist Jerome Bruner suggests we are 22 times more likely to remember a fact when it has been wrapped in a story. Why? Because stories are memorable. Stories help us grab the gist of an idea quickly…. Injecting hard numbers into your story will raise the stakes and bring your call to action into clearer focus. Bottom line: the combination of data + story – satisfying both left and right brain thinking – is what will ignite your audience to act.”
– Kate Harrison, Forbes, 2015

When you think of applying for a grant, you might picture endless amounts of forms, checkboxes, and spreadsheets. But what we have noticed is that these technical details fall flat without a storytelling component.

Storytelling is powerful because it deeply engages our emotions and imagination, making information more memorable and relatable. Stories connect us with others, build empathy, and can even shape our perceptions and drive action. They tap into our primal instincts for narrative structure and making meaning, helping us understand the world and our place in it.

The long-term impact of telling stories is manifold. It gives you a way to communicate the value of the project to the community, share pride in the progress we make together, and inspire other communities to resolve their own challenges in the future. In short, stories give us the “why” behind what we do. And the “why” is crucial to getting support and funding.

After identifying what the story is, figuring out how to tell it is just as important. For example: imagine a 90-second video showing your project site, outlining the problem, and making it clear what is needed to solve that problem. Imagine being able to send that video out to stakeholders and see what kind of support you get in response.

When applying for grants, the facts are important. But remember to also have the “why” to complement them. Want help extracting your story? Contact us at 616-364-8491!

January 20, 2026

Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS). Earmarks. Are these the same thing? Different programs? And why is this suddenly part of the funding conversation?

The short answer: CDS and earmarks are the same tool, different names. Both refer to funding Congress allocates to specific projects at the request of individual legislators for needs in their own communities.

The longer story explains why this might feel unfamiliar. Congress banned earmarks in 2011 and did not revive them until 2021. A decade is long enough for terminology to fade, for expertise to retire, and for an entire generation of professionals to enter the industry without ever encountering the practice. When CDS returned, it came back quietly—with new transparency rules, spending caps, and disclosure requirements—but without the institutional knowledge that once surrounded it.

Today, CDS directs billions of dollars annually to specific projects, with significant allocations flowing through HUD, Transportation, and Defense. Since returning in 2021, the program has grown quickly—from roughly $9 billion and 5,000 projects in FY2022 to nearly $17 billion and 9,000 projects in FY2023. But this is not a predictable or guaranteed funding stream. Annual amounts fluctuate based on budget negotiations and spending caps. And a critical distinction: appearing on a CDS award list is not the same as receiving funds. Projects can be announced, even published, without money ever being delivered.

What Makes CDS Different from Most Federal Funding?

The opportunity is real. So is the complexity. Most programs require competitive applications— you write the proposal, wait months for review, and hope your project scores high enough. CDS works differently. This is funding your congressional delegation secures directly for specific projects in their district or state, outside the normal competitive process.

Michigan communities are already using it. But the process has rules, timelines, and realities that can trip up first-timers.

How It Works

CDS requests go through individual congressional offices—your two U.S. Senators and your U.S. House Representative. Each office sets its own submission process, priorities, and deadlines. There is no universal template; what works for one office may not apply to another.

Typically, offices open their request windows in late winter or early spring, with deadlines often falling in March. The member’s staff reviews submissions, vets projects for eligibility and alignment with the member’s priorities and selects which requests to champion through the appropriations process.

If your project is selected and survives the appropriations process, funding is included in the relevant spending bill—usually signed into law the following fiscal year. But selection is not a guarantee. Projects can be awarded funding on paper and never see a dollar delivered. The appropriations process has multiple points where things can stall, shift, or fall out entirely.

The Timeline Reality: CDS is not fast money.

The FY2024 appropriations bills were signed in March 2024. Projects funded through those bills are just now seeing money flow. That means a request submitted in March 2023 resulted in funding available in spring 2024—a minimum 12-18 month lag, and that assumes the appropriations process runs smoothly (which it often does not).

If you are hoping to fund a project that breaks ground next summer, CDS is not your path. But if you are planning two, three, or five years out, earmark funding can be a powerful piece of your capital strategy.

What Makes a Good Candidate?

Congressional offices receive far more requests than can be funded. Projects that rise to the top typically share these characteristics:

Clear public benefit: Infrastructure, public safety, environmental protection, community facilities. Private benefit projects rarely make the cut.
Shovel-ready or nearly so: Projects with engineering complete, permits in hand, and local match committed demonstrate readiness.
Local investment: Requests that show significant local match not just the minimum required signal community commitment.
Reasonable scope: Requests in the $500K-$3M range are more likely to succeed than $20M requests.
Alignment with member priorities—and values: Each congressional office has focus areas, but the label does not tell the whole story. A member on an environmental subcommittee could prioritize conservation. Another could prioritize energy production. Both fall under “environment”—but a project emphasizing one approach may not resonate with a member who champions the other. Do the homework. Review the member’s public statements, past CDS requests they have supported, and legislation they have sponsored. Then look at the other members of the subcommittee or caucus. If your project runs counter to the prevailing values of the group, it faces an uphill battle regardless of how well it fits the topic category.

Example: A treatment plant upgrade could be framed as a local infrastructure need. But if the committee includes members with stakes in Great Lakes water quality, the smarter play is to frame it as regional stewardship—one community doing its part to protect a shared resource that spans multiple states. Same project. Different narrative. Different outcome.

Nonsupplanting: What Is It?

Federal funds must supplement, not replace, existing funding. If local dollars have been budgeted for a project, federal money cannot be swapped out and local funds redirected elsewhere. CDS funding needs to enable something that would not otherwise happen—an expanded scope, an accelerated timeline, or a project that was unfunded entirely.

Michigan’s Funding Landscape

Michigan’s transportation funding picture just got more complicated. The Citizens Research Council recently noted that 70 percent of the state’s new road revenue streams face uncertainty—marijuana tax revenue is being challenged in court, and corporate income tax threshold changes remain unsettled.

In this environment, communities need every funding tool available. CDS will not solve the infrastructure backlog on its own, but a well-timed earmark for a signature project can move something off the wish list and into construction.

Communities that win are those that have their projects documented, their engineering advanced, and their requests ready when the submission window opens.

Thinking Beyond the Obvious Category

CDS funding flows through multiple federal agencies—Transportation, HUD, Defense, and others. A single project can often be framed to fit more than one. The category you choose affects which funding stream you tap, and which congressional subcommittee reviews it.

Example: A road upgrade in a small community might struggle to compete as a standalone transportation project. But that same road, reframed as access infrastructure for a senior housing development, could find traction under HUD—where the narrative shifts from “road maintenance” to “community development serving vulnerable populations.”

Before defaulting to the obvious fit, ask: Is there another door that might open more easily?

Getting Started

Identify candidate projects: What is on your capital plan that has clear public benefit and could use a federal boost?
Advance your engineering: Preliminary design, cost estimates, and environmental review make your request credible.
Build your case: Document community need, economic impact, and alignment with regional or state priorities.
Watch the calendar: Congressional offices announce their CDS request windows—typically late winter. Miss the deadline, wait another year.
Cultivate relationships: The communities that get funded are often the ones that have built ongoing relationships with their congressional delegation, not just showing up when they need money.

Bottom Line

This is not a funding source reserved for those with inside knowledge or decades of experience—because that expertise largely does not exist anymore. Everyone is learning. Everyone is rebuilding. The difference will come down to who prepares, who builds the relationships, and who shows up ready. Readiness wins.

Every community has projects waiting for the right funding opportunity. If you want to explore how CDS funding could work for yours, reach out to your Prein&Newhof project manager or contact Jason Washler at 616-364-8491. We can help you identify which programs align with your goals and navigate the application process. The best funding strategies start long before any shovels break ground.

January 16, 2026

In recent years, Michigan communities experienced a wave of major infrastructure funding opportunities from temporary programs like the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

As these funding opportunities end, budgets will tighten, application timelines will get shorter, and competition will increase.

As the funding playing field shifts, so should our perspective. Instead of grant hunting, or reacting to the newest opportunities, we should position ourselves to be ready and to hit the ground running as soon as funding is available.

What Does Grant Positioning Look Like?

Being shovel-ready for future opportunities
Packaging projects to meet multiple eligibility categories
Securing matching funds through creative, layered approaches
Building public support and telling the story of projects needing funding
Navigating changing deadlines and program shifts with confidence