Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm, D-Mich., has signed legislation creating the Centers of Energy Excellence, a program designed to bring companies, academic institutions and the state together to create jobs in the alternative and advanced energy industry. The centers will support cutting-edge research and development and bring new technology to market. The initiative – passed with bipartisan support – is part of an overall job creation and economic stimulus package proposed by the governor in her State of the State address earlier this year.
‘Creating jobs in the alternative energy industry in Michigan is a major component of our aggressive strategy to build a diverse and global 21st century economy,’ says Granholm. ‘This new tool will allow innovative companies to partner with our world-class universities and research institutions to create revolutionary technologies and make Michigan the state that ends our nation's dependence on foreign oil.’
Centers of Energy Excellence will support the development, growth and sustainability of alternative energy industry clusters in Michigan by identifying and/or locating a base company in a geographic region with the necessary business and supply-chain infrastructure. These centers will match the base company with universities, national labs and training centers to accelerate next-generation research, workforce development and commercialization.
SOURCE: The Office of Gov. Jennifer Granholm
