Michigan Economic Development Corporation News

Granholm, MEDC Encourage Young Graduates to Boost State Economy, Promote Entrepreneurial Opportunities

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Michigan Renewable Energy Certification System Available

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:00:00 GMT

November 4, 2009

The Michigan Public Service Commission announced on Friday that the state system to track Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) is now operating. The Michigan Renewable Energy Certification System (MIRECS) issues, tracks, and enables the trading of credits for energy generated through means other than fossil fuels. The system is internet-based and will allow for the tracking of every megawatt-hour of energy created by qualifying facilities. In addition to tracking RECs, the system also has the ability to track Advanced Cleaner Energy Credits and Michigan Incentive Renewable Energy Credits.

Michigan Receives ARPA-E Funding for Innovative Energy Research Projects

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

October 30, 2009

The Department of Energy announced 37 projects which will receive Recovery Act funding through the newly formed Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E). ARPA-E is dedicated to advancing America’s technological leadership by developing creative and inventive approaches to transform the global energy landscape. The program awards grants to highly innovative and transformative research projects with the potential to achieve this goal. These 37 projects represent the first round of funding and were chosen from over 3,600 applications. Combined, the grants total $151 million of the $400 million which has been allocated through the Recovery Act to the agency.

Michigan Receives Over $100 Million in Smart Grid Funding

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

October 28, 2009

On Tuesday, October 27, 2009 President Obama announced the allocation of Recovery Act funding for the enhancement of Smart Energy Grid capabilities. Two Michigan companies, Detroit Edison Company (DTE) and Whirlpool Corporation, will benefit from this funding stream, receiving a combined total of over $100 million. These grants represent a portion of the single largest energy grid modernization investment in U.S. history, with a nation-wide grand total of $3.4 billion.

Michigan Energy Office Releases RFP for Multi-Purpose and LED Demonstration Grants

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

October 21, 2009

The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth (DeLEG) has issued a Request for Proposals for two grants under the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant Program, utilizing federal funding provided to the Department of Energy through the Recovery Act.

Local Entrepreneurs Looks to Open Skunkworks Prototype Incubator

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:00:00 GMT

It’s been less than a year since the Technology Innovation Center (TIC) opened in East Lansing and its already full—bursting at the seams, as some would say—and local entrepreneur Bunmi ...

Brownfield Funding Information

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released guidelines for its FY2010 Brownfields Program. The Brownfield Program is dedicated to cleanup and reinvestment in Brownfield property. Included in this release are the guidelines for the Brownfields Assessment Grant, the Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Grant, and the Brownfields Cleanup Grant.

Funding Opportunity and Information for Coastal Communities

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:00:00 GMT

The Michigan Coastal Management Program (MCMP) is requesting proposals for coastal land conservation projects in Michigan. Approved projects will receive funding under the Michigan Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program Grants for the acquisition of coastal property to be held in public ownership.

Alternative energy investors with Michigan connections could prove vital

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Alternative energy looks to be the latest avenue to bring Silicon Valley-style talent and resources to Ann Arbor. Excerpt: The role of risk takers in boosting Michigan’s entrepreneurial economy ...

MSU Scientists Using $1.7 Million Grant to Study Impacts of Cellulosic Biofuel

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) received a $1.7 million grant from the federal government to work with the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center to study the environmental ...

Spartan Internet Breaks Ground on $2 Million Holmes Street School Renovation

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Ryan Vartoogian, president of Spartan Internet Consulting, recently joined several community leaders to celebrate the groundbreaking at the $2 million renovation of the Holmes Street School.

General Electric's Wind Energy Center Could Fuel Michigan's Alternative Energy-based Revival

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Michigan’s alternative energy future, and the jobs that accompany it, are coming soon to a place near you.

Dowding Industries Pushing Wind Energy Industry

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Eaton Rapids-based Dowding Industries is encouraging area manufacturers to retool their business models to accommodate the growing wind energy industry in the state. According to excerpts from the ...

Holland firm targets aerospace, defense contracts for manufacturers, company's growth spurs six jobs

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Ron Alvesteffer, president of Service Express, Inc. (SEI) wrote and published a new e-book in conjunction with Nashville, Tennessee-based Tanner Corporate Services, The SEI Way, Values and ...

CG Radio: Water and Workers

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Every state has its gem. Michigan’s includes the Great Lakes and rivers and streams that make up 22% of the world’s fresh water. According to two leading Michigan economists, these gems, ...

Interest in Organic Agriculture Education Increasing at MSU

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 06:00:00 GMT

The number of students at Michigan State University (MSU) that are taking up agricultural educational pursuits such as organic farming, is increasing. According to excerpts from the article: Growing ...

MIT Solar Electric Vehicle to Visit Holland Manufacturer, Company Made Innovative Car Possible

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 06:00:00 GMT

By: Deborah Johnson Wood She's one-of-a-kind. Sleek. Quiet. With the pedal to the metal, she can hit nearly 90 mph drawing on nothing but battery and solar power. She's Eleanor, named after the ...

Muskegon's MAREC fires up energy, incubator development, brings WMSTI's Cook on board

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 06:00:00 GMT

By: Deborah Johnson Wood With an eye to ramping up alternative energy innovation and economic development, Grand Valley State University's Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center ...

University Research Corridor Boosts Michigan Life Science Jobs by 10.7 Percent

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Michigan’s University Research Corridor, which includes Michigan State University (MSU), helped increase life science jobs in the state by 10.7% from January 2006 through March ...

WJG Enterprises Invests $4 Million in Existing 100,000 Sq Ft Charlotte Facility

Tue, 26 May 2009 06:00:00 GMT

During the next five years, WJG Enterprises in Charlotte, Michigan will invest $4 million in its existing 100,000 square foot facility. The investment will include internal capacity expansions that ...

New Grand Rapids Coalition aims to help emerging companies gain foothold in growing medical sector

Wed, 20 May 2009 06:00:00 GMT

By: Deborah Johnson Wood A group of 20 Grand Rapids professionals have formed a coalition to help new and emerging companies do business with the region's growing medical sector. The group ...

MSU Part of DOE's $12.5 Million Research Corridor Energy Effort

Tue, 19 May 2009 06:00:00 GMT

A $523,282 seed grant from Michigan’s University Research Corridor, which includes Michigan State University (MSU), has encouraged a recommendation for $12.5 million from the U.S. Energy ...

Gung Ho for Green Jobs

Tue, 12 May 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Tremaine Phillips, 22, of Lansing, is a clean energy buff—he Tweets under the name CleanEnergyGuy. And even he seemed pretty impressed by what Michigan's Green Jobs gurus pulled off in Lansing ...

Lansing Company Niowave Inc. Acquires Virginia-Based AMAC International

Tue, 12 May 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Niowave Inc., of Lansing will acquire superconducting radio frequency technologies and business from AMAC International Inc., a high-tech company based out of Newport, Virginia. According to ...

Four Lansing-Based Companies Named Among Michigan's 50 Companies to Watch

Tue, 05 May 2009 06:00:00 GMT

A&M Aquatics, Capital Steel & Wire Inc., Dewpoint Inc. and Niowave Inc. in Lansing have all been added to this year’s “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch” list. According to excerpts from ...

Recovery Act Announcement: Secretary Chu Announces $93 Million from Recovery Act to Support Wind Energy Projects

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Study says Michigan has 100,000 high wage bioscience jobs, more investment needed

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 07:00:00 GMT

By: Deborah Johnson Wood A study released by University of Michigan’s Institute for Research on Labor, Employment, and the Economy says that nearly 100,000 Michigan jobs are due to the state’s ...

Dearborn's Environment Mich sees future in green projects

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Convention wisdom dictates that projects rooted in sustainability lead to jobs that are sustainable in the long term. Now a report from a local environmental-advocacy organization is backing up ...

RMT finishes Michigan wind farm construction

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 07:00:00 GMT

RMT has wrapped up construction on the largest wind farm in Michigan. Michigan Wind 1 contains 46 wind turbines near Ubly toward the tip of the thumb. That's enough to produce 69 megawatts of ...

AARP Ranks Ann Arbor Healthiest U.S. City for Retirement

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Ann Arbor beats out No. 2 Honolulu in AARP ranking.

Centers of Energy Excellence Program

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 06:00:00 GMT

The Centers of Energy Excellence (COEE) program launched to spur alternative energy innovation.

Michigan Still a Leading State for Industrial R&D

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Michigan retains second place for overall industrial R&D spending.

R&D Magazine Top 100 List

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Four Michigan companies make the Top 100!

BASF Goes Brownfield With New Plant

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 06:00:00 GMT

Global chemical giant BASF is breaking ground on a new $147-million facility.

Construction Begins at Former Mall Site in Downtown Muskegon

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 06:00:00 GMT

State and local tax capture valued at $236,947 will be used by developer to support construction of a new two-story, mixed-use retail and commercial structure.

Contaminated Site to be Transformed in Downtown Grand Rapids

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 06:00:00 GMT

State and local tax capture valued at $554,550 will support the construction of new commercial building in downtown Grand Rapids.

New Development to Enhance Gateway into Wyandotte

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 06:00:00 GMT

State and local tax capture valued at $198,743 to help finance a commercial project.

New Housing Opportunities Slated for Ingham County

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 06:00:00 GMT

State and local tax capture valued at more than $1.3 million to be used to redevelop and revitalize tax reverted properties in central Michigan's Ingham County.

TiAL Products Expanding in Owosso

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 06:00:00 GMT

State and local tax capture valued at $257,992 will help finance site preparation and infrastructure improvements.

U-M Is Nation's #1 Research University for R&D Dollars in Science, Engineering

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 06:00:00 GMT

U-M spends $809 million in research expenditures in 2005.