host posted on December 09, 2009 14:07
By Amy Lane and Ryan Beene
Crain's Detroit Business
Two Southeast Michigan companies and a venture capital firm with local ties are among five companies statewide that will share $15.5 million in federal stimulus funds to help them diversify into renewable energy technologies.
Astraeus Wind Energy Inc. in Eaton Rapids, is a newly-named venture first reported in June in Crain’s Detroit Business.
It includes Sterling Heights-based MAG Industrial Automation Systems L.L.C. and Eaton Rapids-based Dowding Machining Inc., and will receive $7 million to manufacture large-scale, advanced-composite wind turbine blades and components. Jeff Metts, president of Dowding; and Roger Cope, president of MAG’s strategic business development group; were unavailable for immediate comment.
According to interviews in June, the goal of Astraeus is to build a new generation of wind turbine blades out of carbon fiber, as well as designing and manufacturing state-of-the-art machine tools to make massive wind-turbine components with reduced time and cost.
In addition, Loc Performance Products Inc. in Plymouth is receiving a $1.5 million grant to manufacture gears and gearboxes for utility-scale wind turbines, and LUMA Resources L.L.C. in Rochester Hills has been awarded a $500,000 grant to manufacture products for the residential photovoltaic solar market.
The awards, announced by Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Wednesday, stem from an initiative to help small manufacturers diversify into advanced manufacturing of renewable-energy systems and components.
The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth had sought proposals for funding Michigan received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Nearly 80 companies submitted applications requesting nearly $198 million, the state said.
“We looked for businesses that can produce the next generation of renewable energy systems and the components such as turbines, blades and solar technology,” said DELEG Director Stanley “Skip” Pruss, in a news release. “The projects must be able to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”
Other companies receiving grants are:
• Energetx Composites L.L.C. in Holland. A $3.5 million grant will go toward manufacturing large-scale, advanced composite wind turbine blades.
• Merrill Technologies Group in Saginaw. The company is receiving $3 million to manufacture large-scale, advanced-composite wind turbine blades and system components.