By Genine Hopkins
The house was packed for the Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting on the new Clare County Road Commission building on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Representatives from road commissions across Michigan came by to celebrate with their Clare County counterparts, County officials including County Administrator Lori Phelps and County Clerk Lori Mott, and representatives from township boards in the county including Greenwood Township’s Jess McClaughry, Lincoln Township board members, and Summerfield Township board members.
Clare County Road Commission employees were happy to show off their new home. Chase Swartzmiller, who has been with the road commission for two years, about the time this journey began, said he was very pleased with their new home.
“This is super nice,” he said, “More reliable than our old building and much larger.”
Representatives were on hand from FED Design/Builders of Gladwin, who were consulted on the project when it began back in 2022, mainly as a remodel of the old premises.
“It all began as just updating and a remodel,” said Shawn Palmateer of FED, “But after looking at what their needs were at the road commission, it became clear that their best and most effective option was a new building.”
Indeed, now everything is under one roof from the offices to the garage and repair facilities. The indoor parking garage has radiant floor heat and is climate controlled with louvers that open and close as needed. Two large drainage canals keep the oil, sand, and water separate so it can be processed properly. There is a dehumidifier in the garage, a large fire suppression system, a smart CO2 detection system that automatically adjusts if the CO2 levels rise, and an area for quick maintenance before a truck/plow heads out to work for checking and filling air pressure to topping off fluids. It is quite impressive and is large enough to allow for larger vehicles as needed, something that was becoming an issue at the old facility as larger plow trucks were manufactured.
Two tours were given during the Grand Opening and lunch and dessert were served, homemade chili with all the fixin’s and donuts and cookies. All CCRC employees gathered for a photo as CCRC board member Karen Hulliburger cut the ribbon.
