Michigan Green Communities

Our next Community Sustainability Profile is here, featuring the City of Kalamazoo! Give it a read to learn what Kalamazoo has been up – from their Sustainability Plan to purchasing renewable energy to power municipal activities, potentially saving the City over $6 million in the next 20 years. https://lnkd.in/gKS3C6_k We had so much great content from our conversations with staff and elected officials for the Kalamazoo profile that we also created two extra one-page highlights on Recycling (https://lnkd.in/gYhVShN7) and the Catalyst Leadership Circle program (https://lnkd.in/gbTr8Kyu). Don't forget to check them out too!

Reducing food waste is a key greenhouse gas reduction and hunger alleviation strategy. This year, the MGC Challenge is introducing six new action items related to food waste reduction that local governments can take to align with state and national climate goals and strategies. Many thanks to our partners at the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy for lending their insight and expertise to this Challenge update. See the materials management section of the Challenge for these updated action items. https://lnkd.in/gARuj93C

Since the City of Kalamazoo’s Community Sustainability Plan was finalized in 2022, the City has been awarded millions of dollars in federal grant funding for projects that will help meet the plan’s goals. From $25 million through a RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) grant for traffic calming to $1 million from the USDA Urban & Community Forestry grant for tree planting, City staff are busy with project implementation. Continue learning about Kalamazoo’s sustainability work in our full Community Sustainability Profile here! https://lnkd.in/gKS3C6_k

Federal Funding for Clean Energy Projects: Direct Pay Webinar Is your community looking to reduce energy costs and contribute to a sustainable future? The Inflation Reduction Act offers significant tax incentives for clean energy projects through direct pay. This means your community can receive direct payments to cover a substantial portion of the costs for renewable energy, EV charging stations, and clean fleet vehicles. Join MGC at a webinar on November 19 to learn about: -How direct pay works -Expert insights and experiences from a local government -Resources to take advantage of these incentives Register for the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/giaUGDYP

On October 17-18, 2024, the Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning, University of Michigan will host Climate Futures 2024, a symposium exploring the ways architecture and planning can help to bring about a better future for people and the planet. https://lnkd.in/gC9Dxdpe Across two days of moderated presentation panels, speakers will show how urban planners, designers, technologists and architects help to reduce emissions, promote resilience, and improve equitable access to healthy and vital built environments. Symposium sessions will challenge the assumptions, interests, practices, and values shaping the current landscape of climate action, and they will open space for inclusive and collaborative imagining of new possibilities. No registration required.

A national survey by MIT Technology Review Insights, in conjunction with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), shows how senior U.S. executives are planning for climate change. Businesses are weighing relocation due to climate risks; executives highlight the availability of climate-planning programs and access to natural resources as their top criteria. While every respondent acknowledged the costs and risks associated with climate change, many selected the Midwest as the least exposed region of the country https://lnkd.in/erU59icg

Join Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy for their Renewable Energy Academy workshops to learn more about: - How to plan and zone for large, utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage systems. - The basics of grid-connection. - Zoning pathway options allowed under PA 233. https://lnkd.in/euhtJPj9

If you haven’t had a chance to check out our Community Sustainability Profile featuring Saugatuck Township, go give it a read! As a newer MGC participant, the Township has prioritized efforts to make their community more environmentally friendly in recent years. https://lnkd.in/gTGUjmAZ? . . . While you’re at it, give our first profile featuring the City of Madison Heights a read and learn about how the City secured a $500,000 DOE grant to create a regional decarbonization plan: https://lnkd.in/ebEhn32n

It's been a record-setting year for the MGC program. Read our latest newsletter for more and sign up for our mailing list if you're not already on it! Highlights: ?? 63 local governments participated, representing 4.7 million Michiganders ? More technical assistance provided ?? Local governments creating the next best practices ?? Template sustainability plan makes planning easier https://conta.cc/3ZyZn5M

Check out the next Community Sustainability Profile in our series featuring Saugatuck Township – out now! Learn about how resident engagement and regional partnership have led to better recycling services and creating wins for their natural environment through zoning updates. https://lnkd.in/gTGUjmAZ