MichiganRadio

Michigan Groups Get Wind Energy Grants ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) - Grants totaling $8.5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy are to be used to help the wind energy industry get up and running.

Michael Ford runs the renewable energy department at Cascade Engineering in Grand Rapids. Cascade got a 100 thousand dollar grant.

The company builds small wind turbines for personal and commercial use.

"Despite the economy, we're still in a growing business, Ford says. "We're actually hiring people, unlike, unfortunately, many businesses in this area. It's a bright spot in a difficult economy."

Ford says many of Cascade's customers don't rely on corporate financing, and aren't as affected by the credit crunch.

Great Lakes Commission in Ann Arbor and Michigan State University also received grants.
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