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The Benton Harbor community in Michigan will benefit from a $20 million EPA grant, which will fund a range of resiliency programs over the next three years. These initiatives will focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency in homes, workforce development, job training, disaster relief centers, and electrification efforts. The Bobo Brazil Community Center will receive $2.6 million for improvements, with plans to include electric vehicle charging stations, while the Benton Harbor Community Development Corporation will convert a house into a hub to accelerate community electrification efforts.
Benton Harbor Receives $20 Million EPA Grant for Resiliency Programs
Benton Harbor has been announced as the recipient of a $20 million Inflation Reduction Act Community Change grant from the EPA. The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, who applied for the grant on behalf of the city, will administer the funds over the next three years in various resiliency programs.
Senior planner Marcy Hamilton indicated the grant will aid in renewable energy, energy efficiency in residents’ homes, and workforce development. The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission will collaborate with the city, Benton Harbor Community Development Corporation, and non-profits like the Workforce Development Institute and Let Us Rest for implementing these programs.
Beyond this, the Bobo Brazil Community Center will be designated as a disaster relief center, with $2.6 million reserved for enhancements. The center will serve as a refuge for residents during power cuts or extreme heat.
An additional $2.1 million, along with a pre-existing $1 million grant will provide for electric vehicle charging stations at the community center. Furthermore, Benton Harbor Community Development Corporation plans a community electrification hub, and green energy and weatherization apprenticeships.
The $20 million from the EPA, along with a $1 million match from the state, will fund these initiatives for the next three years. Benton Harbor is among six Michigan communities chosen to receive this grant, as part of the $1.6 billion national program through the Inflation Reduction Act Community Change program.
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