From: Whipple, Deb (GOV)
Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 5:32 PM
Subject: What the governor is talking about today
What the Governor’s Talking about Today
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
 
Governor Announces $20 Million for Clean-Energy Manufacturing Projects

The governor today announced that her administration will make an additional $20 million available to small Michigan manufacturers looking to diversify, retool and create jobs in clean energy.  Michigan companies will compete for $15 million in grants and $5 million in loans through the Clean Energy Advanced Manufacturing (CEAM) initiative funded by the federal Recovery Act.
 
In December, five Michigan companies were awarded a total of $15 million in the first round of Recovery Act-funded CEAM grants.
 
The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth will issue an official request for proposals for the second round of CEAM funding on April 23.  Any small to medium for-profit business located in Michigan, or which will locate in Michigan by the time grants are awarded, is eligible to apply.  Proposals for projects involving renewable energy systems and components are due May 7 while proposals for energy efficiency manufacturing are due May 21.  Applicants who applied for first round funding will be required to update their application with specified supplemental information to be considered for funding in round two.
 
Key messages:
 
•  The second round of Recovery Act CEAM funding is the latest step in the Granholm administration’s efforts to create jobs by growing the state’s new energy economy.  In the last six years, Michigan has committed more than $2.4 billion to help alternative energy and advanced-battery companies locate and grow in Michigan.  Under the Granholm administration, Michigan has:
 
-  established itself as the nation’s advanced-battery capital with investments of $5.7 billion since January 2009 which are expected to create more than 54,000 new jobs
 
-  increased solar industry investment from 2004 to 2010 by $3.27 billion which is anticipated to create more than 23,000 jobs
 
-  created a growing wind-energy industry in Michigan of more than 100 companies, in part by pushing for and signing legislation for changes in Michigan’s energy laws to require utilities to use renewable energy
 
-  enrolled more than 123,000 workers in job-training through Michigan’s No Worker Left Behind initiative.  Michigan colleges and training providers have added or updated more than 12,000 educational programs to help ensure that Michigan workers have the skills they need to transition to good-paying jobs in fast-growing sectors like renewable energy manufacturing.
         
# # #