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Grant To Allow Allen Park To Hire 6 Firefighters

ALLEN PARK (WWJ/AP) - The cash-strapped suburb of Allen Park is getting federal help to hire six firefighters.

U.S. Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow on Thursday announced that the city will receive a $1.28 million Federal Emergency Management Agency grant.

The grant comes from a FEMA program that helps communities maintain adequate fire protection.

Late last year, layoff notices were issued to more than 30 police officers, firefighters and other city workers.

Allen Park, home to about 28,000 people, had been facing a $4.7 million deficit. Falling property values and a failed movie studio development project are blamed in its problems.

A state review team earlier this month recommended that Gov. Rick Snyder appoint an emergency manager.

The team cited the city's deficit, delinquent vendor payments, delayed pension payments and significant cash flow shortages. The city also had not filed an approved deficit-elimination plan for the 2011 fiscal year.

If an emergency manager is appointed, Allen Park would be the eighth Michigan city where the state has intervened. Flint, Pontiac, Benton Harbor and Ecorse all have emergency managers. Three more cities, including Detroit, are under consent agreements.

TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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