Michigan Launches $1 Million Competitive Grant Program to Fund Advanced Lighting Technology Demonstrations

Grants to showcase advance lighting technology in communities throughout Michigan

LANSING – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) today announced that the Michigan Energy Office will make approximately $1 million available from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) funds to showcase advanced lighting technology demonstrations in communities throughout Michigan. 

The grants are designed to encourage highly visible upgrades to more energy efficient indoor and/or outdoor lighting using any of the following technologies: Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), known as Solid State Lighting; induction lighting; and plasma lighting, also known as High Efficiency Plasma Lighting (HEP). 

“The energy and cost savings benefits, plus the maintenance savings due to the longer life of the lamps, are impressive with the newer technology lighting that’s now available. These benefits are more important than ever to local governments in reducing operating expenses,” said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. “In addition, manufacturing of advanced lighting technologies is a growing industry in Michigan and has the potential to create a new source of jobs and investment for local and state economies.” 

The funding will be made available through a competitive application process that is expected to result in 15-20 project grants ranging from $30,000 to $100,000. Examples of projects that may be proposed include replacing street lighting, traffic and crosswalk signal lights, parking structure or lot lighting as well as interior lighting of public buildings with highly energy efficient and environmentally-friendly alternatives. 

All incorporated cities, villages, townships and county jurisdictions are eligible to apply. Proposals are due by 3 pm on Thursday, May 26, 2011. The official Request for Proposals with complete eligibility guidelines and application details is available at www.michigan.gov/energyoffice. 

Grants will be administered through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, which began in 2009 and ends in 2012. The Recovery Act included more than $2.4 billion for the EECBG Local Government Program, making funding available nationally to reduce energy use and improve energy efficiency in various sectors (buildings, transportation, etc.). In Michigan, $58.3 million was distributed to local governments and federally-recognized tribes directly through this program. 

In addition, the Michigan Energy Office received $19.6 million through the same program to assist smaller communities and has made 89 percent of these funds available to them through competitive grants. To date nearly 175 smaller communities have benefitted directly through individual and collaborative efforts. The state’s EECBG program already has leveraged more than $20 million in additional project investments, provided local jobs and broad-based education to residents on the benefits of investing in energy efficiency and conservation. 

For additional information on the RFP or the Michigan EECBG Program, contact Jan Patrick, Manager, EECBG Program Manager, Michigan Energy Office at patrickj@michigan.gov. 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.