Warm Training Center, Clean Energy share in $200K block grant

Non-profits from Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Ypsilanti are splitting the lion's share of a $195,996 state grant to promote municipal sustainability.

The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, & Economic Growth awarded the money, which originated from the federal stimulus package, to four non-profits. They include the Michigan Municipal League Foundation of Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti-based Clean Energy Coalition, and WARM Training Center.

The latter is a 30-year-old Detroit-based non-profit that helps people make their homes and businesses more energy efficient and implement alternative energy generators. It received $59,400 to help small municipalities (35,000 residents or less) in southeast Michigan become more energy efficient in their facilities.

"The focus is definitely energy efficiency," says Bob Chapman, executive director of the WARM Training Center. "However, we broadened it to any type of green technology and reducing green house emissions."

The Clean Energy Coalition received $58,300 to support 37 communities in south and south-central Michigan. The Michigan Municipal League Foundation received $58,296 to support 36 communities in the southwest, west and northern portions of the state. East Lansing-based Michigan Energy Options received $20,000 to support 12 communities in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Source: Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, & Economic Growth and Bob Chapman, executive director of the WARM Training Center
Writer: Jon Zemke
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