Benton Harbor schools awarded $12.3 million for roofs and HVAC

Benton Harbor Area Schools was awarded $12.3 million in Michigan infrastructure funding for roof and HVAC replacement projects at Fair Plain Middle School and Benton Harbor High School.

The Michigan Department of Education announced the award on July 17, 2026, through a competitive school infrastructure grant program. A July 20 report by WSJM identified the two Benton Harbor schools as the project sites.

Two Benton Harbor schools named

The announced work involves replacing roofs and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems at Fair Plain Middle School and Benton Harbor High School. The available records identify the buildings and general project purpose but do not establish that construction has started.

Fair Plain Middle School is part of Benton Harbor Area Schools and is located at 120 E. Napier Avenue in Benton Harbor. Benton Harbor High School is also part of the district and is located at 870 Colfax Avenue. The award applies to the identified projects; it does not automatically cover every facility operated by the district.

What the grant covers

MDE said roof and HVAC projects were prioritized under Section 12e of the fiscal year 2026 state school-aid budget. For Benton Harbor students, staff and families, the award provides state funding for the two announced building-system projects.

The current award announcement does not provide a construction schedule, final design, bid results, contractor information, completion date or details about any district contribution. It also does not establish whether the $12.3 million will cover every cost connected with the projects.

Statewide demand exceeded available funding

Across Michigan, MDE awarded $224 million to 31 school districts for work at more than 80 schools. Districts submitted nearly $1.8 billion in requests, and MDE said the available funding covered approximately 16.5% of the amount requested statewide.

That 16.5% figure is statewide program context, not a calculation of Benton Harbor’s individual funding share. It shows that the competitive program received substantially more requests than available funding could satisfy.

What comes next

The state award is separate from future district decisions about design, timing, bids, contracts and construction management. Those later steps will determine when work occurs, whether school operations are disrupted and whether additional local funding questions arise.

Residents and families should watch Benton Harbor Area Schools board records, procurement notices and project updates for information about implementation. The currently verified announcement establishes the $12.3 million award and the two named schools, but not when work will begin or finish.

Sources

• Michigan Department of Education award announcement
• WSJM local report on the Benton Harbor grant
• Benton Harbor Area Schools school pages