FROM TANKS TO TURBINES
MARK HORNBECK
Detroit News Lansing Bureau
Lansing --
Five small manufacturing companies won $15.5 million in federal stimulus awards to help them move into making green energy systems and parts, Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced today.
The firms will diversify from making tanks, auto parts and boats to manufacturing solar shingles, wind turbines and windmills.
The governor's office reported the grants will create or retain 713 jobs.
"These are existing businesses moving into revolutionary new areas," Granholm said, adding the state has invested $1 billion into the renewable and alternative energy sector.
The companies that won the grants were among 80 that submitted applications, said Stanley "Skip" Pruss, director of the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.
"Clean tech is a space Michigan fits very well in," Pruss said. "What you see here is the best in class."
Firms awarded grants include:
· Astraeus Wind Energy Inc. of Eaton Rapids will get $7 million to make wind turbine blades and hubs.
· Energetx Companies LLC of Holland was awarded $3.5 million to manufacture large composite wind turbines.
· Loc Performance Products Inc. of Plymouth won $1.5 million to make gears and gearboxes for utility windmills.
· LUMA Resources LLC of Rochester Hills will get $500,000 to manufacture shingles for the residential solar market.
· Merrill Technologies Group of Saginaw will receive $3 million to make large-scale wind turbine blades and other components.
mhornbeck@detnews.com (313) 222-2470
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