A small commission focused on economic development in the Great Lakes region would be eliminated under the Trump administration’s budget proposal for fiscal 2026.
The White House budget would “permanently” cancel $5 million in funding for the Great Lakes Authority. The money was appropriated by Congress last year, but the regional organization has no federal leader and has yet to formally launch.
The authority was created to address regional issues throughout the Great Lakes watershed and was modeled on the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Appalachian Regional Commission, according to Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), ranking member of the House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee.
It would have representatives from state government and focus on boosting jobs in manufacturing and clean energy, among other issues.
