Mary Bigelow, Renewing Your Life!

Looking up Mariah WindSpire!!!

 

Last month I spoke of  a new manufacturing venture between MasTech Manufacturing and Mariah Wind Power and the possibility of the partnership bringing jobs to Manistee County in my blog Windspire by Mariah Power Part I.

Many in Michigan, including myself, have been sitting on pins and needles to hear the decision of this joint venture.

 

Where will the new home for the manufacturing of this Vertical Axis Wind Turbine be?

 

 

This began quietly in early June 2008. While working on the Michigan Energy Fair Allan O'Shea, co-chair of the Michigan Energy Fair and Chair of the Manistee County Commission received a lead that this company called Mariah Power was looking for a permanent home to manufacture the Windspire VAWT.

Since June 2008 the both the city and county of Manistee, the state of Michigan and private venture capitalists have come together to make it possible.

I received the joyous news today from Allan O'Shea. In a meeting of the Mariah board Monday September 15 locating manufacturing operations in Manistee Michigan was approved contingent on the passing of a $400,000 Community Development Block Grant (CBDG). The Manistee County Board of Commissioners approved the Community Block Devevelopment Grant at the regular commission meeting Tuesday morning.

Mr. O'Shea was very excited in our conversation today. He stressed the lengths that Michigan communities will go to in order to bring jobs to Michigan and to create a win-win situation for businesses. Renee Ihlenfeldt, Executive Director of the Alliance for Economic Success in Manistee has said that Mariah was very pleased with the way the community backed this project.

"They're extremely pleased with what they see talent-wise at MasTech," Ihlenfeldt said. "They know the product, the marketing and the engineering." Renee has been very instrumental in putting together the team that has worked with Mariah and MasTech. O'Shea credits Renee with "taking the ball and running with it."

 

Mariah currently has backorders for 3500 WindSpires, a year of work for the new partnership. The 30-foot tall wind energy system offers an alternative for urban residences and businesses. It is attractive and quiet and offers easy installation with minimal maintenence.

The WindSpire was one of the highlights at the Michigan Energy Fair this year. It was spinning all weekend long!!! If you are in Washington you can see the WindSpire on display at Capitol Hill!! Windspire is on display near the Capitol Building at the US Botanic Gardens through October 2008!

 

You can check in with Mike Brennan over at MITECHNEWS to hear a podcast recorded at the Michigan Energy Fair discussing the Mariah WindSpire.

Congrats Manistee and Michigan for bringing a projected 116 new jobs and tremendous technology to this community and this state! Bookmark my blog for new information on the WindSpire as manufacturing operations gear up!!!

 

PS...check out the solar tax credit expiration  counter to the right...your 30% federal tax credit on Solar expires in less than 106 days!

COPYRIGHT © 2008 Mary McGraw-Bigelow All Rights Reserved

Photocredits: Mariah Wind Power

 

 

 

Great Lakes Green 2008 promises to help me meet Stephanie's challenge for August.

Stephanie announced the ECO August Challenge is to

"figure out how green fits in to the Localism Picture!"

Oh boy did I find it in Michigan this weekend!

Fortunately for all of us, 'green' is not a fad, 'green' is not going away anytime soon.

This could be witnessed this evening when I attended the VIP reception for Great Lakes Green 2008 being held at the DeVos Place in Grand Rapids Michigan.

One of my dealers, FCB Solar invited me to assist in his booth this weekend.

The exhibit hall looks empty in this picture. Actually, it was. We took this photo before the big night started. Tomorrow and Saturday we expect the exhibit halls will be packed with industry professionals and consumers who are eager to learn more about 'going green!'

Great Lakes Green 2008 is the brainchild of a partnership between Michigan Association of Home Builders and GreenBuilt Michigan. In it's first year Great Lakes Green 2008 promises to not only bring great information to consumers but to industry professionals as well.

(Mayor George Heartwell kicks off Great Lakes Green 2008)

Arn McIntyre, President of GreenBuilt Michigan, the nations first statewide green building program, opened this evening by introducing Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell who kicked off this event. Mayor Heartwell is well known for his support of sustainability and the city that has gone green, Grand Rapids Michigan. With great leaders in our area it is no wonder Great Lakes Green 2008 will be one of the best efforts in the midwest to educate consumers as well as bring new industry professionals on board and up to speed with energy efficiency and green building.

I had the pleasure this evening of meeting and speaking with Mayor Heartwell as well as Michigan Senators Patricia Birkholz and Mark Jansen about the future of Michigan and renewable energy. It is very interesting speaking with our elected officials to find out they have the same concerns as the general public and to discover they are facing the same struggles with the economy, housing market and rising energy costs. I applaud these Michigan senators for the effort they made this evening to visit Great Lakes Green 2008 and take part in the opening night. It is important that they continue to attend public events and talk to the small business owners in Michigan.

Senator Wayne Kuipers was also in the house but snuck out before I could bore him!! I'll get him next time!

If you are in the midwest this weekend, Great Lakes Green 2008 should be a destination for you! Even if you have to drive 3 hours...do it! You will find great information on new building or regreening your current home! This is not just a show to walk around but a premier even with educational seminars all weekend!!! It will help you walk the talk!

By the way, Ed Bagley is the Keynote Speaker on Saturday! If that doesn't get you there, nothing will!

Only in Michigan....

And of course! Stop by to see me either at the FCB Solar Booth or Standale Lumber Booth! Stay tuned!

COPYRIGHT © 2008 Mary McGraw-Bigelow All Rights Reserved

ECO August challenge by Stephanie is local happenings....

This is one thing happening in Michigan you don't want to miss....

Have you seen the Mariah Windspire??? A VAWT!

Isn't it beautiful???

What is it you may ask???

This is a new Vertical Axis Wind Turbine, known in the industry as a

VAWT.

What does this have to do with

"how green fits into the localism picture."

What about JOBS? What about New Home Sales because of new

jobs?" Does that make sense?

Keep reading to find out more!!!

I attended the Manistee County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday August 19 and heard this news....

Manistee County is in the running to be the new home to manufacturing operations for Mariah Windpower. Resulting from a partnership formed between Mariah Power and MasTech Manufacturing Manistee County stands to gain 116 new jobs. Mariah Power offers a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT), the Windspire. The Windspire offers an affordable choice for renewable energy for homes and businesses. Mariah is expected to begin production with 100 units per month, quickly increasing to 300 – 400 per month over the next year. Within two years they expect to produce 1000 units per month for residential, business and government use.

Mariah Power demonstrated a working model of the Windspire at the 2008 Michigan Energy Fair at the Manistee County Fairgrounds in June. Visitors to the fair expressed considerable interest in the Windspire which is one explanation why Mariah Power currently has a backlog of orders for the Windspire.

Manistee county commission chairman Allan O’Shea was instrumental in the formation of the new partnership. Mr. O’Shea was one of the original founders and first president of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). In the best interest of his constituents Mr. O’Shea helped coordinate the key players in this venture after bringing the lead to the attention of the Alliance for Economic Success.

Renee Ihlenfeldt, executive director of the Alliance for Economic Success (AES) appeared at the Manistee County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday August 19, 2008 to ask the board for permission to file a $400,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBC) that is being pursued through Manistee County. The purpose of the grant will be to provide funds to purchase equipment required to enable this business to begin manufacturing, marketing and selling vertical axis wind power systems in the US and abroad.

A Notice of Intent to release funds has been published and includes a notice of an Environmental Review Record which is on file and available for inspection in the County Controller/Administrator’s Office. The environmental review is required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

Ms. Ihlenfeldt said the City of Manistee, Manistee County and the State of Michigan have been involved in coordinating efforts to make this venture possible and theu offer a three pronged approach to make the project feasible for the manufacturer. The projected costs to bring the Windspire production online are estimated at $2,246,000. The AES is also competing for a grant for the new partnership under the 21st Century Job Fund with the State of Michigan. The grant amount is determined by the number of committed new jobs.

Conservative projections are 41 new jobs in the first year, 27 new jobs in the second year and 48 jobs in the third year. Stipulated in the grant 51 percent of the jobs must go to individuals in the moderate to low income brackets.

Manistee County competes with a city in Ohio that is offering a $1.8 million interest free loan. Ihlenfelt said there has been a group effort in Michigan to secure the manufacturing operations in Manistee County.

During the Board of Commissioners Meeting Mr. O'Shea praised Ms. Ihlenfeldt and the AES for their quick response in forming a plan of action. Mr. O'Shea said, "this committee is committed to running with any lead this way. This shows the commitment of the county to promote any new business and jobs." Manistee county has developed a "Jobs for Manistee County" which is a countywide program offering incentives to new employers. You can download a copy of "Manistee County Means Business" here.

This picture was taken from Franz's IGA in Onekama Michigan, in the heart of Manistee county. I had an AWESOME meatloaf lunch plate there following the Manistee County Commission meeting!!! What a beautiful view of Portage Lake! If you go to Onekama stop by and say hi to Lars and Dee! Tell them "Ma" sent you. You may get an extra scoop of potatoes...and then again, you may not!

UPDATE: In an unfortunate turn of events the Michigan Economic Development Corporation(MEDC) refused a loan to this partnership under the 21st Century Jobs Program. You can read the story printed in the Traverse City Record Eagle.

Allan O'Shea still has confidence efforts of local public and private parties will be able to seal the deal for Michigan. O'Shea is quoted in the TC Record Eagle,

"The question is, are we about fundamental change, or are we about superficial change?"

I have received many emails...(thank you!) it seems....

Inquiring minds want to know....

where in the world is Mary "Ma" Bigelow?

It has been a busy couple of months, the last few weeks have been brutally busy as well as weeks of Discovery! I have missed my activerain friends and especially the ECO AllStars! May I share?

I traveled from the Great Lakes State to the Lone Star State last week!

I traveled from 50 degree weather to 94 degree weather!

Those who know me through Active Rain may wonder if I was

1. attending a BMX bike race
   
2. attending a renewable energy seminar or a green trade show
   
3. taking a vacation….

The answer is....

None of the above my friends!

So what is Ma up to? you may ask!

I flew Continental Airlines last week (very good flight and service, by the way) from Grand Rapids, MIchigan to Houston, Texas with GreenLife Homes.

GreenLife Homes is starting a new division in Texas. I have accepted a position as their New Home Sales Consultant. For now, the majority of my efforts will be focused on Texas. Why Texas you may be asking?

GreenLife Homes has been invited to build in a Hybrid Solar development, Discovery at Spring Trails! Thus I have spent the past week discovering. I have discovered

1. New friends
2. Old friends
3. New ideas
4. New communities

You may already be familiar with Discovery at Spring Trails. Stephanie Edwards has been writing about it for several months.

Speaking of Stephanie!

I have had the good fortune to meet her in person! Stephanie has been a tremendous friend. A friendship that developed through Active Rain and the ECO All Star group.

Thank you Active Rain, Lola Audu who introduced me to playing in the rain and especially JaneAnne Narrin for attracting such bright professionals to your group!! I have been able to meet Stephanie in person. She treated us to a tour of The Woodlands Saturday. I was able to see Stephanie shine as I witnesed first hand her knowledge of the Woodlands, and what a beautiful area The Woodlands is! Never could I have imagined such a well designed master planned community!

The tour and generosity Stephanie has shown is just one reason why I subscribe to her blog and would hands down refer clients to her. Stephanie has a great handle on the area and her expertise shows that she is doing what she loves!!!

I have written about many transformations Michigan companies have made over the past year…now it is time to share my own transformation and that of GreenLife Homes as we take part in the nation’s first solar powered hybrid community, a collaboration of Land Tejas, GE Ecomagination and Environments for Living.

Now you know the answer to....

Where's Ma!!!

this is going to be a very fun and exciting journey! I am honored to be a part of Discovery at Spring Trails...

Thank you Josh and Chris for bringing this opportunity to me....

And from my kayak on Lake Conroe Texas...hello to all my friends and stay tuned....

I will be bringing you all the news as Discovery at Spring Trails develops in Texas!!!!

You will learn how GreenLife Homes has homes that start with different "DNA" if you will...making their product, built with a systems approach, a great choice for families looking for

HEALTHY.

GREEN.

HOME.

COPYRIGHT 2008 MARY BIGELOW ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

I shared in my post BMX is Back in Grand Rapids Michigan the efforts of local group Helmets On! to bring BMX racing back to the Grand Rapids area.

Guess What!?! TODAY IS OPENING DAY!!!

A VERY hard working, dedicated crew of VOLUNTEERS have poured their hearts and pocketbooks out to make this dream a reality. Transforming this pile of dirt (one man's junk is another man's treasure) which was donated from the Calvin College construction site to this....

which still doesn't look like much....

unless you know what you are looking for!

This crew has fought the Mother Nature and the weather at every turn (no pun intented!)

As the construction equipment was on overtime last night trying to get this track in shape for an opening day race, droves of neighborhood kids, young and old, came by the track to see what was going on....

Tim Irwin, West Michigan Technical Supply says, "It's all for the kids. So many of these kids are great kids, they have just never had a chance to really shine at anything."

Tim has been the instrumental force in spearheading this effort spending the last three years of his life working to secure this opportunity. This track will prove to be a premier track not only in Michigan but in the midwest...quite possibly the nation.

This BMX track sanctioned by the NBL has quite a story behind it...the people, the volunteers, the donations...but mostly the riders. I will be back to write more about these gems we have in West Michigan.

For now, if you are looking for something fun and interesting....

We hope to race today....further improvements on the track will continue to shape this treasure of clay...

and help form the youth of today into tomorrow's leaders. We expect there will be many diamonds in the rough...some of the strongest, fastest riders in the US who will come out of the neighborhoods in the Greater Grand Rapids area.

Kids who have just "never had a chance to shine" can now shine....

Directions can be found here: The track is located in the old Southwest Little League park, between Plaster Creek Family Park and US 131. The address is 580 Kirtland St SW, Grand Rapids, MI.

Registration begins at 1pm, racing at 2:30....

Bring your helmet and your bike....or just participate as a specatator (always free!) and experience the heart and soul that has gone into this project....

As always, volunteers and sponsors are welcome!!!!

More later...there are so many volunteers and sponsors to mention it will take many blogs!!

For now, Riders....Watch the Gate!!!!