By Staff
LANSING – Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) President and CEO James C. Epolito Wednesday announced that the MEDC will receive nearly $2.5 million in federal funding to build upon work launched through Michigan's Centers of Energy Excellence (COEE) program.
"The Centers of Energy Excellence program is a powerful tool in our mission to help break our nation's dependence on foreign oil and make Michigan a leader in the renewable energy sector," Granholm said.
"Thanks to Sen. Carl Levin and Sen. Debbie Stabenow, as well as Rep. Dale Kildee and Rep. Bart Stupak; these critically needed funds will help advance our overall strategy to diversify our economy and create new jobs."
The COEE program, which is bringing companies, academic institutions and the state together to support cutting-edge research and development and pioneer new alternative-energy technology, was appropriated the funding in the federal omnibus budget bill signed by President Obama March 11.
In July, legislation was enacted with overwhelming bipartisan support, authorizing the Michigan Strategic Fund to allocate up to $45 million to establish and administer the COEE program, which supports the development, growth and sustainability of alternative energy clusters by indentifying and/or locating a base company with the necessary business and supply-chain infrastructure.
The COEE program also matches the base companies with universities, national labs and training centers to accelerate next-generation research, workforce development and commercialization.
The recipients of appropriations announced Wednesday include:
The Biogas Center of Excellence, in Flint, which supports work by Kettering University to advance the use of biogas.
The FY09 federal appropriation of $951,500 builds upon the MEDC's earlier award of $3 million to Swedish Biogas International for the biogas production facility at Flint Township's wastewater treatment plant.
The Forestry Biofuel Statewide Collaboration Center, in Escanaba, which supports work by Michigan State University and Michigan Tech to improve the feedstock availability for biofuel facilities.