The Isabella County Board of Commissioners approved a $53,460.35 state grant to help enhance veteran services at the county commission meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
The county received the grant from the Michigan Department of Military and Veteran Affairs , Commissioner James Moreno said. The grant will be used to enhance county veteran services, increase awareness and accessibility.
The county proceeded to approve a contract with King Media, a marketing and communication agency in Michigan. The contract will use $50,000 from the grant to help advertise the county’s veterans’ services.
Commissioner Steve Swaney said King Media uses a variety of advertising to connect veterans to the county’s Veteran Affairs (VA) office in a multi-media approach.
The VA office offers a variety of services to veterans such as helping them access benefits related to education, health care, finances and more.
“What we want accomplished is to get the word out to veterans that these services are available and for them to use,” Swaney said.
King Media will appropriate $7,500 in broadcast advertising, $8,250 in audio streaming services, $8,250 for television, $10,000 for mobile video ads and $16,000 at gas station televisions advertisements.
Commissioners also approved their contract for $1,855,288 for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) in the county. The county received a compliance grant of $1,617,081 from the state, so the county will have to pay $238,206 through its general fund. MIDC is a state agency that oversees and funds public defense services across the state. This grant will help provide cost-effective lawyers to adults who cannot afford one.
The grant does not help with the juvenile criminal indigent defense or the probate court indigent defense, Moreno said. The county will continue to pay for these expenses from the General Fund.
The commissioners approved Going Pro Talent Fund contracts, which will develop training modules to help train employees through several businesses.
Vickie Block was appointed for an open spot on the Department of Health and Humans Services and Medical Care Facility Board for a 3-year term ending October 31, 2029.
