Mich. has $15M for small manfacturers to diversify

By AP

LANSING, MI – Small manufacturers in Michigan will split $15 million in federal recovery money to start making wind turbines, solar panels and other renewable energy components.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced Monday that the funds are part of $82 million in stimulus dollars Michigan will get for its state energy program.

Any manufacturer with 500 or fewer full-time workers can apply for a piece of the $15 million. Applications are due Aug. 14.

Granholm says alternative energy is the fastest-growing economic sector in a state with high unemployment.

She says auto suppliers are ideally positioned to capitalize on the transition to renewable energy because they have manufacturing know-how and room to diversify.