Detroit Evening Report: Detroit’s new clean energy buses, Concert of Colors and more
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Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announces a a $30.8 million grant from the Biden administration to replace 25 old diesel DDOT buses with new clean energy models.
Today on the Detroit Evening Report, we cover a new federal grant awarded to the Detroit Department of Transportation to make its bus fleet cleaner, next week’s upcoming Concert of Colors and more.
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Federal grant helps electrify DDOT buses
The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) will replace 25 old diesel buses with new clean energy models, thanks to a recent $30.8 million federal grant.
An additional $5 million from the Michigan Department of Transportation will help round out the funding to $36 million, which will be used to replace the city’s 2014 diesel buses with 21 new hybrid New Flyer buses that run on clean diesel and electric. DDOT currently has four zero emission electric buses in service and four more on order. The purpose of the grants is to help deliver clean transportation for Michiganders who rely on buses — with a focus on areas that haven’t received enough resources in the past.
President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative aims to allocate 40% of federal climate investment into disadvantaged communities most impacted by pollution, which makes Detroit a prime location for this clean energy initiative.
City launches ‘Grow Detroit’s Young Talent’ work experience
Detroit City Council and the city of Detroit have launched its 10th Grow Detroit’s Young Talent Work Experience, a citywide training and employment program for young adults between the ages of 14 and 24.
According to the city, there were more than 8,600 youth jobs offered through the program this summer, with nearly 80,000 summer job experiences created for Detroit youth since the program’s launch in 2015.
Now in its 10th year, the program offers a variety of jobs for local youth, with placements available in the Detroit junior police and fire cadets, health care, skilled trades, financial services, entrepreneurship and much more.
2024 GDYT career experiences will run until mid-August. For more information, visit gdyt.org.
Immerse yourself in the Concert of Colors
The city’s 32nd annual Concert of Colors will return to Detroit next week, July 16-21, featuring a variety of performers spanning all genres.
The free, family-friendly festival will take place both indoors and outdoors at several of the city’s cultural institutions, including the Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Historical Museum, Michigan Science Center, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and more. The goal of the festival is to unite metro Detroit’s diverse communities and ethnic groups through music and dance from around the world.
For more information go to concertofcolors.com.
Embrace Summer at Blake’s Lavender Festival
Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill’s annual Lavender Festival kicks off this weekend, July 12-14, and July 19-21 in Armada.
In addition to the sprawling lavender fields on full display at the orchard, the festival will feature over 200 Michigan artisans, food and craft drinks, free activities, a petting farm for kids and much more. Admission to the festival and other information can be found at blakefarms.com.
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