Detroit Evening Report: Whitmer announces competition to bring clean energy developments to Michigan
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FILE - Whitmer declared herself “a climate optimist” as she signed the 11-bill clean energy package at Detroit’s Eastern Market on Nov. 28, 2023.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration is launching a nationwide competition to attract companies looking for state funding in clean energy.
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Whitmer’s goal is to bring more green developments to Michigan — including the development and production of batteries.
The initiative to grow the state’s clean energy sector, called the “Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund,” was announced by Whitmer last year. Lawmakers have accumulated $336.8 million for the fund.
Although the competition is looking to bring new companies to the state, it’s also part of a greater effort by the Biden administration to get more investment and manufacturing done on American soil.
According to Zach Kolodin, the head of the Michigan Infrastructure Office, there’s no guarantee that federally supported projects will locate to Michigan, so it’s important for the state to spend its own money to lure investments.
“The investing in America push by the Biden administration is really a push to redefine how we make things in the United States, and I think it’s going to drive a lot of economic growth over the next generation. So the governor believes that we need to position Michigan to be a hub for that kind of advanced manufacturing activity and clean energy innovation in order to drive prosperity for all Michiganders,” Kolodin told the Detroit Free Press. “And using the competitiveness fund as leverage to capture federal dollars and federally-supported investments is the best way to do that.”
Other headlines for Feb. 22, 2024:
- The Michigan Senate has voted to abolish the Environmental Rules Review Committee, removing third parties from having an influence on the state’s environmental polices.
- A recent survey done by Diono.com has found that Michigan ranks the worst state for potholes.
- Dilla Fest World will honor the late J Dilla’s 50th birthday this weekend.
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