Contact:
Amanda Roraff
Director, Marketing & Communications, NextEnergy
Office: 313.833.0100 ext350
Cell: 313.377.6600
amandar@nextenergy.org
For Immediate Release:
September 17, 2012
Grant ensures Southeast Michigan a continued competitive advantage
Detroit, MI – September 17, 2012 – NextEnergy announced that it has been awarded a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration that will fully position NextEnergy as an Advanced Energy Innovation Center for Southeast Michigan. As an Innovation Center, NextEnergy will provide an applied research facility that bridges the gap between research and development and production of advanced energy technologies in a variety of fields.
“NextEnergy is very pleased to receive the Advanced Energy Innovation Center investment from the Economic Development Administration,” said Jean Redfield, President and CEO, NextEnergy. “The investment will be used to accelerate the innovation of next generation electric vehicles, solid state lighting and energy efficiency technologies and applications through the programs and demonstration platforms here at NextEnergy. We are delighted to collaborate with innovative companies such as Nextek Power Systems, Ilumisys, A123 Systems, Clipper Creek and Rapid Electric Vehicles who have committed to leverage this investment.“
“We are supporters of NextEnergy’s Innovation Center work and are pleased that the EDA has made the infrastructure grant award to NextEnergy”, said Mike Finney, President and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). “NextEnergy serves as a unique contributor to the innovation network in Michigan with its various technology development platforms and demonstrations. With this grant, they will be hosting commercialization and demonstration efforts in electric vehicle infrastructure and advanced lighting solutions with Michigan-based companies.”
“This investment from the EDA will assist us in the development and commercialization of our products and demonstrate NextEnergy’s power infrastructure as one of the largest, most diverse DC microgrids in the world”, said Paul Savage, CEO, Nextek Power Systems.
The Innovation Center, combined with the region’s assets, will create a unique resource that ensures Southeast Michigan a continued competitive advantage in development of smart grid, renewable energy, electric vehicle and data center technologies. Investment in these rapidly growing sectors through the Innovation Center will catalyze job growth in Southeast Michigan.
“This is very exciting news for NextEnergy and the region,” said David Egner, executive director of the New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan. “The EDA award will accelerate the pace of innovation, business and job creation in the advanced energy space, an area where NextEnergy’s leadership has already given our region a competitive edge.”
Founded in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, NextEnergy is headquartered in Detroit’s Alternative Energy Renaissance Zone and serves to accelerate energy security, economic competitiveness and environmental responsibility through the growth of advanced-energy technologies, businesses and industries.