• Centers of Energy Excellence Program

    2008 Public Act 175 established a Centers of Energy Excellence (COEE) Program to promote the development, acceleration and sustainability of energy excellence sectors in this state. In 2008, the Michigan Strategic Fund Board awarded $43 million to six Centers of Energy Excellence in the first phase (Phase I) of the program. 2009 Public Act 144 authorized $30 million for a second phase (Phase II) of the COEE program. Key provisions of the COEE Phase II program include:
    • The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) Board shall not expend more than $30,000,000 of the money appropriated for programs authorized under this chapter from the 21st Century Jobs Trust Fund for the COEE Program during FY 2009-2010 through FY 2010-2011. 
    • Grants provided through the COEE Program shall only be awarded to for-profit companies. Participation of at least one qualified business and at least one institution of higher education or a national lab is required to operate a Center of Energy Excellence.
    • The funds shall be awarded to for-profit companies for all of the following purposes: a 1:1match for federal funding of up to 50% of the total project cost; supplementing in-kind contributions provided by an entity other than this state; accelerating the commercialization of an innovative energy technology or process that will be ready to market within 3 years of the agreement date; activities of the Center, including, but not limited to, workforce development and technology demonstration.
    Round one of the COEE Phase II program for FY 2009-2010 began in January 2010 and closed in August 2010.  The COEE Phase II program was officially re-opened following the MSF Board meeting on September 22, 2010, for round two for FY 2010-2011.

    CURRENT COEE PHASE II PROGRAM STATUS:

    On October 27, 2010, the MSF Board approved the final COEE awards for FY 2011. These awards exhausted the remainder of the COEE funds, so the MSF Board closed the COEE award process for FY 2011 (ending September 30, 2011).

    For further information about the COEE Program, contact the MEDC.