St. Johns and Bingham Township Water Sharing Partnership Builds Greater Economic Opportunity
The Agreement Will Allow for Increased Development Opportunities in the M-21 Corridor
LANSING, Mich. (December 18, 2025) – The City of St. Johns and Bingham Township have announced a unique partnership to extend water infrastructure, unlocking new economic development potential along the M-21 corridor. The wholesale water agreement is the result of both communities working together to break down barriers to growth for businesses across the region.
“I’m pleased to see our communities come together in a way that will benefit all of our residents,” said Mayor Scott Dzurka, city of St. Johns. “This idea has been discussed for decades and I’m glad to see we reached consensus. It wasn’t just about the city or township, but what is best for the greater St. Johns community and neighbors.”
The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) helped facilitate early meetings and provided data on the economic development impact a Wastewater Authority would have for the City of St. Johns and Bingham Township.
“LEAP was pleased to play a mediation role between Bingham Township and city of St. Johns to develop an wholesale water agreement for a Wastewater Authority with the idea of developing appropriate parts of the M-21 corridor to benefit tax base and jobs for the residents of both communities,” said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of LEAP. “On behalf of their residents, Bingham and St. Johns have created a system of cooperation that eliminates expensive duplication of services and will keep taxes and water rates lower while allowing for smart growth. We congratulate this kind of outstanding leadership of both city and township. They are setting the bar for us all across our three-county region with this kind of agreement.”
The water agreement is a milestone for the M-21 corridor, demonstrating how state support, local leadership, and regional partnership are converging to bring new possibilities to the region. The agreement creates the foundational capacity needed for future business investment, housing, agricultural innovation, and utility resilience along the corridor.
“We’re excited to partner with the City of St. Johns on collaborative public infrastructure in our community,” said John Weber, Bingham Township Supervisor. “After years of work toward this goal on behalf of the people of Bingham Township, the Board is proud to put this important structure in place to help create new economic opportunities along the M-21 corridor that benefit our constituents.”
Clinton County has made strides toward positioning itself as a leader in AgTech and rural economic development. LEAP-supported companies such as Glanbia, MMPA (Michigan Milk Producers Association), Hanovers Chocolates, Oh Mi Organics, and Phillips Cider Bar & Pizzeria make up a robust cluster who have chosen the M-21 Corridor for their operations. Extending the water infrastructure was made possible through state grant funding and championed by Senator Sam Singh.
“Strong infrastructure is the backbone of economic progress, particularly in rural and agricultural areas like those along the M-21 corridor,” Senator Singh said. “This wholesale water agreement shows how communities can come together to plan for growth, improve essential services, and expand opportunities for families and businesses. I’m proud of the partnership of St. Johns, Bingham Township, and LEAP, and I look forward to the continued momentum this investment will create.”
The M-21 corridor strives to support investment by leveraging the rich agriculture and proximity to world-class amenities that support innovation in Michigan. The corridor includes Clinton, Ionia and Shiawassee counties, located north of Lansing and between Grand Rapids and Flint. Learn more here: https://www.purelansing.com/find-a-site/key-industries/agtech-and-food-innovation/
The Lansing region’s central location and existing agriculture industry is ripe with strategic growth opportunities for companies in the food processing industries and realms of agricultural technology (AgTech) & FoodTech.
About LEAP
The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is a coalition of area leaders partnering to build a stronger community for all—working every day to grow, retain and attract business to the Lansing, Michigan, region.
https://www.purelansing.com/
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