Presque Isle receives Renewables Ready Communities Awards funds

PRESQUE ISLE — The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy announced the first round of grants from the Renewables Ready Communities Awards and Presque Isle is set to receive over $500,000 in funds between two awards.

RRCA grants aim to accelerate the buildout of large-scale renewable energy projects, like wind, solar and storage by providing flexible incentives to local units of government that permit and host the projects.

Little Trout Solar received funds to utilize in Belknap Township totaling $152,500 and Presque Isle County totaling $375,000.

RRCA grants are provided in addition to the tax revenue and community benefits already received by host communities.

These grants provide funds for communities to make improvements and offer additional services to their residents. Examples include road and bridge repairs, fire department upgrades, park and playground enhancements, accessibility accommodations and grounds improvements, energy upgrades for public buildings and streetlight upgrades.

"Expanding access to renewable energy is critical to meeting the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan, the state's climate action plan; protecting our land, air, and water; reducing unhealthy air emissions; and lowering energy costs for families," EGLE Director Phil Roos said. "Today's grants from the Renewables Ready Communities Awards will support the build-out of enough renewable energy projects to power 700,000 Michigan households while providing the communities that host the projects with additional revenue for community improvements and services."

The first round of grants from the RRCA will support the deployment of 700 megawatts of solar energy, enough clean energy to power 700,000 Michigan households.

The first round of the RRCA grants totaled $3.5 million, supporting nine local units of government.

There is no deadline to apply for this funding opportunity. Grants from RRCA will remain available until funds are depleted.