Michigan Invests $5.2B in Clean Water and Renewable Energy

Michigan is putting its money where its mission is, directing over half its environmental budget straight back into communities. A new interactive dashboard shows exactly where $5.2 billion in grants and loans are making real change happen.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy just updated its Grants and Loans Dashboard to help residents track every dollar. Between 2019 and 2024, the state awarded nearly 5,000 grants and loans to local governments, businesses, and organizations across Michigan.

The money is solving problems that matter to everyday life. Communities are replacing aging water pipes, cleaning up contaminated sites, and expanding access to solar power for small businesses and homeowners.

The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund helps towns ensure safe tap water by upgrading old infrastructure. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund protects Michigan's lakes and streams by supporting wastewater treatment improvements.

Some programs are transforming entire neighborhoods. The Brownfield Redevelopment program turns abandoned, contaminated properties into new housing, parks, and businesses that boost local economies and create jobs.

The MI Solar Access program is opening renewable energy options to residents who couldn't afford it before. Meanwhile, scrap tire cleanup grants are removing thousands of abandoned tires that create fire hazards and blight neighborhoods.

The Ripple Effect

These investments create waves of positive change beyond their immediate goals. When a community gets safe drinking water, kids stay healthier and miss less school. When a contaminated lot becomes a park, property values rise and neighbors reconnect.

The renewable energy programs are helping Michigan residents save money on electric bills while reducing pollution. Small businesses that once couldn't afford solar panels now have access to clean energy that cuts their operating costs.

The state made the dashboard interactive and easy to navigate so taxpayers can see exactly how their money works. Residents can explore projects in their own communities and understand which programs might help solve local challenges.

Michigan also created a companion story map that explains each program in plain language. Anyone interested in applying for funding can subscribe to updates about new opportunities through the state's Grant and Loan Opportunities listserv.

The transparency sends a powerful message: environmental protection and community development go hand in hand, and Michigan is backing that belief with billions in real investment.