Whitehall new energy development project gets $500K economic boost from state

A former wastewater facility in Whitehall Township could soon be a site for alternative energy projects that may create 150 jobs. Money from a tax capture awarded by the state will go a long way to getting the project off the ground.

According to excerpts from the story:

The Silver Creek New Energy Development is a lot closer to becoming a reality after this week’s meeting with the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA). MEGA gave Whitehall Township approval to capture state taxes worth $491,767 on the property. That money will go towards repaying a nearly $1 million loan from the DEQ that helped identify what cleanup needed to be done before the site can be developed.

Township Supervisor Dennis Babcock attended the meeting in Lansing with other representatives from the township and Silver Creek New Energy. “I told them the project is good not just for Whitehall township, but Michigan and the United States,” said Babcock. Scott Erdman, owner of Erdman Machine Co., is heading up the Silver Creek New Energy project, which could include agricultural projects, ethanol production, a bio-power generation plant, an ethanol service station and recreation areas. The project is expected to generate $13 million in capital investment, according to a press release from Sen. Gerald Van Woerkom’s office, and could create up to 150 jobs.

Read the complete story here.


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