December 12, 2007 - Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) Director Keith W. Cooley announced today that the DLEG Energy Office has awarded a $24,900 grant to WARM Training Center to launch a Rebuild Michigan program in Detroit.

"WARM Training Center is providing a great service by launching this program to reduce energy use in the Detroit community," said Cooley. "This project will result in a comprehensive energy use strategy for Detroit, and will demonstrate what can be accomplished at the local level through private-public partnerships."

Rebuild Michigan is designed to promote energy efficiency in communities. As part of this project, WARM Training Center will develop a 2-5 year action plan and organize a coalition that will work toward fulfilling community energy goals; initially focusing their efforts on energy efficiency opportunities in participating public, commercial, and multi-family buildings. They will also provide information on their website and in workshops and conferences to demonstrate advantages of reduced energy consumption through new technologies and low cost/no cost methods.

"One of the great strengths of the Rebuild program is its focus on community-based energy planning. Local needs are addressed, and community products are used to the fullest extent possible to ensure a sustained local effort," said Cooley. "This project will generate dollars for the local economy and save money for building owners through the installation of energy efficient equipment."

WARM began in 1981 as a nonprofit organization training people in weatherization and construction related trades. Their acronym stands for Weatherization and Retrofit Maintenance. WARM provides technical assistance to groups building affordable housing while it continues to train homeowners in repair and maintenance skills needed to maintain their property.

This grant is administered by the DLEG Energy Office (www.michigan.gov/energyoffice), which promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy to Michigan residents, businesses and public institutions. The Rebuild Michigan program is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

For additional information, please contact Diane Van Buren Jones, WARM Training Center at (313)984-1030 or Tim Shireman, Michigan Energy Office at (517)241-6281 or shiremant@michigan.gov.

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