Traverse City has made a name for itself as the cherry capital of the world. But in the alternative energy community, Traverse City-based Tellurex is the star of Northwest Michigan.
Elsewhere in the state, Troy-based Toggled and Houghton-based Upper Peninsula Power Company are also becoming drivers of alternative energy.
It's because of these and other Michigan-based companies that the state was ranked No. 3 in the country by Business Facilities magazine as "Alternative Energy Leaders" in 2010. The magazine says anyone surprised by the selection of the Wolverine state hasn't been paying attention, citing the groundbreaking of an advanced battery plant in Holland and commercialization of solar shingles in Midland as concrete examples of Michigan's deservedness of their praise.
State agencies are also taking notice with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. awarding Dow Chemical Co. in Midland $61.3 million in tax credits over 15 years for their work in solar and alternative battery power projects, creating 2,500 direct jobs and 4,400 indirectly. Here, everybody wins.
Incentives are the key to success. In order to maintain and even improve on the state's ranking, Michigan must continue to support growth in alternative energy. The end result is a sustainable environment and workforce. What more can you ask for?
Recently, Second Wave caught up with three leading alternative energy companies in Michigan to talk about the growth of their field.
