Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm, D-Mich., has announced that her administration will make $15 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds available to small manufacturing companies in the state looking to diversify and create jobs in renewable energy through the Michigan Clean Energy Advanced Manufacturing Initiative.
‘We are making a $15 million investment in Michigan's future by enabling small manufacturers to create jobs in high-growth renewable energy fields such as the wind, solar, biomass or geothermal industries,’ says Granholm.
ARRA funds will provide financial assistance to eligible Michigan businesses looking to diversify into advanced manufacturing of renewable energy systems and components. The goal of this funding opportunity is to create new markets for Michigan's manufacturers, provide support to renewable energy original equipment manufacturers and Tier I suppliers, and create anchor companies to attract businesses to Michigan.
The funds will be awarded through a request for proposals grant process. Applications will be accepted until Aug. 14. Any for-profit manufacturing business physically located in Michigan with 500 or fewer full-time or equivalent employees is eligible to apply. A business that relocates to the state by the time of the award also will be considered eligible.
SOURCE: Office of Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm
