1. Energy Efficiency Funds Available for Small Communities

The “Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant” (EECBG) which will be available for small communities, such as ours, through the Michigan State Energy Office.  The Energy Office will be putting out a “Request for Proposals” (RFP) for these funds by the end of August or early September.  Proposals will be due 30 days from the release of the RFP.  So, the State is encouraging communities to start putting their proposal together NOW in order to be ready in time.

Funds from this program can be used for a wide variety of items such as developing an energy efficiency and conservation strategy, developing and implementing energy efficiency and conservation programs for buildings and facilities, programs to conserve energy used in transportation, activities to increase participation and efficiency rates for material conservation programs, etc.  The State is strongly encouraging collaborative proposals, such as two or more jurisdictions submitting a joint application.  They will look more favorably at proposals that leverage additional funds or “in-kind” contributions to the program.

Click below for a really nice summary of this program prepared by the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments. 

EECBG NotesClick here to Download 

2. Small Town Design Initiative Assistance Available

The Small Town Design Initiative (STDI) is a "go-to" resource for Michigan's small communities for physical environmental design assistance in community development and land use.  Under this program, small towns (including cities, villages and townships) can get assistance through MSU’s School of Planning, Design and Construction to develop environmental design ideas for local issues and opportunities.  Examples of projects they will assist with are designing downtown streetscapes, parks, bikeways and trails, open space systems, industrial/commercial development, beautification, land use, signs, agricultural land preservation, ecosystem management and residential development.  Applications are due by September 15th, with approval announcements by November 15th.  Click on the brochure below for more information about this program.

You can work with your local MSU Extension Office on applying for these funds or contact Warren Rauhe, director of this program at MSU at 517.432.0704 or email him at rauhe@msu.edu.

STDI-CDI BrochureClick here to Download 

3. Want to be in the Movies?

Are you interested in having a movie made in your community?  If so, the Michigan film office is looking for photos of your area.  The types of locals they are looking for include, but are not limited to: beaches, jails, isolated cabins, small municipal airports and airstrips. Any community or property owner can upload up to 10 photos directly into the database for approval just by clicking on the "submit a location" tile on the front page of www.michiganfilmoffice.org

4. Businesses Diversify into Renewable Energy Field

Governor Granholm has announced that $15 million in federal recovery funds will be made available to small manufacturers who want to diversify into the renewable energy field.  This money will be allocated by the DELEG Bureau of Energy Systems, through a newly released competitive Request for Proposals (RFP).  The RFP is offering financial assistance to small manufacturing companies to diversify into high-growth clean energy sectors and invest in advanced manufacturing of renewable energy systems and components.  This effort is directed at businesses which are seeking to perform a unique, high-value function, fill gaps in manufacturing of clean energy technologies, and act as an anchor for business attraction.  To view the RFP in full, please visit www.Michigan.gov/energyoffice

5. Manufacturers Exempt from 6% Sales Tax

Every four years a company must let their energy provider know they would like to exempt their manufacturing energy costs from sales tax, otherwise they will be charged taxes in their energy bill.  If you have never applied for the exemption or let your exemption expire, you can get a rebate back up to four years.  The company must send in a form to their energy provider and each energy company has their own process for the sales tax exemption. 

DTE Energy customers go to www.dteenergy.com and follow the links: For My Business, Commercial/Educational/Gov't, Information Resources, Tax Exemption Form.

Consumers Energy customers obtain Consumers Energy Form 3830 by calling 1-800-972-7751.ext 3 or emailing cesalestaxexemption@cmsenergy.com. 

Great Lakes Energy customers complete the Michigan Department of Treasury Form 3372 (copy of form at the Treasury section of the State of Michigan website www.michigan.gov).

6. Take Advantage of Federal Funding

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), one of NLEA's main partners, and the Governor’s office have formed Economic Recovery Offices to focus efforts and coordinate/ monitor stimulus funding. The goal of this initiative is to ensure that Michigan businesses and communities take maximum advantage of these opportunities.

To ensure that opportunities are communicated, and that companies and communities are educated on competitive funding opportunities, the MEDC has added a section to their website that highlights some of the opportunities that would be of interest to you at www.MichiganAdvantage.org/Recovery.

7. Earn a Masters

Our local Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is hosting FIVE of the SEVEN required courses to earn a Master's Certificate in Government Contracting from George Washington University.

Find out how you can qualify for advanced government contracting training at half price using matching funds.  For more information contact Todd Olson, Program Director, E-mail: toddolson@nwm.cog.mi.us or click on the link below.

Diversification TrainingClick here to Download 

8. Local PTAC reaches an incredible milestone!

Our Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) reported more contracts this quarter than ever before. Individual contract awards were reported between $138.00 to over $11 million.  Total contracts (prime, sub, state and federal) and delivery orders were over $83 million!  If your company is interested in taking advantage of PTAC's free assistance, please visit www.nwm.org/ptac.asp and plan to attend a free seminar hosted by NLEA.  Click here for a list of upcoming seminars.