This week Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and legislative leaders announced the state is setting aside $50 million toward improvements and upgrades at the Soo Locks.

While $50 million seems like an impressive amount of money, it is but a fraction of the $1 billion needed for the repairs.

Still, it is a start, and it is an important step to showing Washington officials that their Michigan counterparts are serious about the repairs. In this instance, Michigan lawmakers just aren’t wishing to the repairs, they are actually committing dollars to ensure that happens.

“We are following President Trump’s call for major infrastructure projects to keep us competitive globally,” said Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, who is the Snyder Administration’s lead on the Soo Locks upgrade.

Trump in April, while in Michigan, pledged to find the funding to get the improvements done to the locks.

“Upgrading the Soo Locks is one of the most critical ways we can ensure the continued success of Michigan’s economic comeback,” Snyder said.

The $50 million is part of a roughly $500 million budget surplus that state officials dealt with last week.

Upgrading the Soo Locks is desperately needed and the momentum today seems very positive.

Words of support are one thing. Dollars are another. And, in this instance, Michigan officials are showing their commitment to the proposal.

Now it’s time for the federal government, and others, to show their backing as well.