DECEMBER 19, 2008 - Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) Director Stanley F. Pruss announced today that the WARM Training Center was awarded a matching grant of $15,000 to continue their Rebuild Michigan Detroit community partnership project in Detroit.
"The Rebuild Michigan Detroit partnership will provide energy audits and energy efficiency information to commercial and institutional building owners to help focus their attention on planning and implementing energy efficiency projects in their buildings, said Pruss. "The partnership will also study the viable use of renewable energy sources for power, heat and transportation. Energy efficiency education will be offered through workshops and seminars."
The Rebuild Michigan Program fosters partnerships to promote increased energy efficiency and renewable energy use within a defined community.
"The Rebuild Michigan Challenge grant will assist the Detroit coalition to continue their efforts to broaden community support through local sponsors, membership and special events. Their project will tie-in with the Detroit Greenzone plan for sustainable planning in a 20-mile area of Detroit that includes New Center, Midtown, Eastern Market, and Southwest Detroit. Diane Van Buren Jones, Rebuild Michigan Detroit program director for the WARM Training Center notes that "While everybody can achieve benefits by reducing energy consumption, the large institutions and commercial buildings are particularly burdened by high energy costs and outdated infrastructure. A variety of tools, including workshops, energy audits and financial assistance targeted to these users will help reduce consumption and energy bills at a higher magnitude. The program will also help galvanize other greening practices in these areas, including recycling and employee/visitor education."
The Rebuild Michigan Detroit partnership, initiated in May 2007 by WARM Training Center with a start-up grant from DLEG, has brought together key organizations, government agencies and individuals willing to promote and work toward green communities and sustainable planning in Detroit. The Kresge Foundation has provided additional financial support for this program.
This grant is administered by the DLEG Energy Office and the Rebuild Michigan Program is funded by an annual grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
For more information about the Rebuild Michigan Program, go to: www.michigan.gov/energyoffice.
Contacts: Diane Van Buren Jones, WARM Training Center (313) 894-1030, dvbjones@warmtraining.org,
Tom Krupiarz, Energy Office, (517) 241-6184, krupiarzt@michigan.gov
|