A Grand Traverse County business man speaks out about the money being put towards specific renewable energy efforts.
TRAVERSE CITY -- When it comes to renewable energy, wind is Garth Ward's specialty. He's the owner and operator of Michigan Wind Power and thinks the federal money targeting renewable energy is key to expanding the industry.
This includes more businesses producing wind turbines.
"I think for sure it will spawn jobs, myself with the southwest unit I'm looking at Michigan product to put under. Lets face it, Michigan can't build everything but I've got a good product from southwest wind power and I'd like to start putting Michigan product underneath that," says Ward.
$15 million of federal stimulus money is being put towards small manufacturers in the state. It's these funds that are targeting specific renewable energy including wind, solar, biomass and geothermal.
"Will this help people such as yourself?" asks 7&4 News.
"Well, it will help me bring the bolts, things like that, that are smaller products that help me put the unit up. Yes, that will spawn new inventions too," says Ward.
It's these inventions that ward says will ultimately help diversify the renewable energy market, specifically wind energy.
"Right now there's your big wind farm like the John Deere production in the southern part of the state and then there's units like the household units that I have. There's another layer coming in so to speak, community wind," says Ward.
"Do you think this is the right time for these funds to be available?" asks 7&4 News.
"As an old timer, I think it should have started in the '70s but anytime is a good time. I don't think we're too late at anytime to start," says Ward.
The state government says the overall goal of the federal funds is to create new markets in renewable energy, something Ward is looking forward to.
The recovery act funds will also provide assistance to eligible Michigan businesses that are looking to diversify into advanced renewable energy systems. These funds will be rewarded through a request for proposal grant process.
