Local Impact, Not Lost Opportunity: How Federal Investments in Climate Solutions will Advance Economic Growth and Sustainability

Michigan Sustainable Business Forum and its members in West and Southwest Michigan are hosting a forum on the impact of federal investments in climate solutions on economic development and sustainability for local communities.

The Inflation Reduction Act provided $369 billion in climate and clean energy investments that is driving job creation, innovation, and slashing climate pollution. Combined with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, support from the federal government in American industry and communities represented the largest investment in climate solutions in history. Southwest Michigan has been one of the most successful regions in the Midwest at leveraging these funds to launch programs that serve local residents and businesses. Many of these are now at risk due to the federal funding freeze.

The event will celebrate the outcomes of established programs supported by the IRA and IIJA, and introduce several flagship IRA initiatives planned for the region, which together represent more than $50 million of federal support.

Featured Speakers:

• Mayor Marcus Muhammad, City of Benton Harbor, will discuss his recent engagements with members of Congress on the the federal funding freeze on behalf of Great Lakes communities. He will also briefly discuss Benton Harbor’s potentially impacted projects, including the Ox Creek initiative and its $20 million Community Change Grant from the EPA’s Inflation Reduction Act program, which will support community resilience through clean energy initiatives, disaster aid, and community resilience hubs, including improvements to the Bobo Brazil Community Center and the creation of the Flourish House.
• Jennifer Kanine, Director of Kowabdanawa odë kė (Natural Resources), Pokagon Band of Potawatomi will highlight how the tribal community has deployed its $5 million Community Pollution Reduction Grant from the EPA and intended to invest an additional $2.7 million into green initiatives through the Community Change Grant program.
• Kris Spaulding, Climate Justice & Environmental Resilience Director at Northern Initiatives, a community lender and one of the leaders of the Michigan Climate Investment Accelerator and the Michigan Climate Investment Fund, which was created by the Inflation Reduction Act to finance the development of clean energy projects for consumers, businesses, nonprofits, and local governments throughout Michigan.  This program has been misrepresented in reports from the Trump administration as the “gold bar” grants and targeted for termination.
• Jenny Doezema, Executive Director of the Kalamazoo Climate Crisis Coalition, the fiduciary sponsor for the Holistic Healthy Homes Project, which is partners with local community organizations to deliver home repairs and energy efficiency upgrades to 300 single-family housing units in the Northside, Eastside, West Douglas, and Edison neighborhoods of the City of Kalamazoo.
• City of Holland Sustainability Manager Dan Broersma will share how the IRA and other federal investments has allowed the city to support resident needs through a variety of programs, including a community energy grant and a new rebate program in collaboration with State of Michigan. Holland was one of the first communities in the nation (and first in Michigan ) to develop a comprehensive energy plan.

The roundtable will also briefly discuss other potential opportunities and impacts in Michigan, including how IRA and IIJA funding is supporting recycling and compost infrastructure and education, tax credits for the electrification of vehicles and homes, and otherwise protect clean water, lower the cost of living, improve housing, and advance sustainability and sustainable business initiatives.

Lunch and refreshments included with registration.

What to Expect & Why You Should Attend:

• Regional Impact & Sustainability Solutions: Learn how Benton Harbor, Kalamazoo, Holland, and the Gun Lake Tribe are leveraging federal funding for environmental and economic resilience.
• Sustainable Solutions in Action: Explore key projects, including the Ox Creek watershed initiative, expanded community centers, energy efficiency programs, business innovation, food waste and composting, and recycling.
• Networking & Collaboration: Connect with local policymakers, business leaders, and sustainability advocates working to drive meaningful change in Michigan communities.

Agenda

11:30 am – Lunch and networking

12:00 pm – Program begins

1:00 pm – Adjourn