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Michigan Enacts $45M Centers of Energy Excellence Program
Gov. Jennifer Granholm today signed legislation creating Centers of Energy Excellence, a program designed to bring companies, academic institutions, and the state together to create jobs in alternative and advanced energy. The initiative, passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, is part of an overall job creation and economic stimulus package proposed by the governor in her State of the State address earlier this year (see the Jan. 30, 2008 issue of the Digest).
To be administered through the Michigan Economic Development Corp., the Centers of Energy Excellence will support the development, growth and sustainability of alternative energy industry clusters in Michigan by identifying and/or locating a base company in a geographic region with the necessary business and supply-chain infrastructure. These centers will match the base company with universities, national labs and training centers to accelerate next-generation research, workforce development and commercialization.
Under the new law, which is effective immediately, the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) is authorized to allocate up to $45 million from the 21st Century Jobs Trust Fund to establish and operate the program. Grants will be made available to for-profit companies that meet the following criteria:
- Match a federal, foundation or international investment;
- Accelerate the commercialization of an innovative energy technology or process; or,
- Assist in activities of the center, including workforce development and technology demonstration.
The centers will be located in areas where the MSF determines that the state has competitive advantages in workforce, intellectual property and natural resources, but where technical and supply-chain hurdles could prevent the commercialization process.
More information will be available in the near future at: http://www.michiganadvantage.org