FLINT -- The following is a message from the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce:
The Swedish BioGas project established in Flint in 2009 is designed to align resources and expertise in order to develop an alternative fuel from waste water. The project has brought together government, business and higher education sectors to advance the development of alternative fuels in Flint and Genesee County. The project has attracted nearly $7 million in funding from the State of Michigan, the U.S. Department of Energy, the international investor, Swedish BioGas International and the Swedish government.
Design engineering and the ordering of equipment for the project has been completed. Officials will announce a ground breaking in the near future and expect completion of phase one of the project in late 2010 or early 2011. Phase two of the project will concentrate on upgrading biogas to biomethane which can be burned in engines.
To capitalize on phase two opportunities a working group representing the private sector, state and local government officials and Kettering University will travel to Sweden to have expanded talks with Swedish BioGas International about the best ways to move the current project forward and expand the use of bio-fuels in the future. Their work is part of a community green/energy initiative that is being developed through a $75,000 grant provided to the Regional Chamber by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
“The Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce supports the development of an energy initiative because we believe it can have significant economic development implications,” said Tim Herman, Regional Chamber CEO. “The advice and counsel of Swedish BioGas International will help us plan our alternative energy strategy here and prepare the way to expand our use of bio-fuels in the community.”
The City of Flint has an agreement with Swedish BioGas to build a demonstration facility here. Swedish Biogas International will construct and put into operation a biogas plant that will convert sludge from Flint's sewage treatment plant into a bio-fuel. The project is a cooperative effort between the state of Michigan, the Swedish Energy Agency, and the Swedish Institute of Steel Construction. The project is being built at the Flint Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Concurrently, members of the working group will the Fifth Global Yes will be held in Leksand, Sweden June 2-5. The focus of the Summit is exploring employment opportunities of the future, and will feature 100 presentations from all over the world. The selected presentations to be explored at the summit fall into five areas: Energy, Water, Land, Cities and People.
The Summit is a joint initiative of the Tällberg Foundation, YES Inc, with its youth led networks in fifty-five developing countries, and the Swedish National Association of Youth Organizations.
The Tällberg Foundation based in Stockholm and Tällberg, Sweden, is an independent non-profit organization. Support for the foundation’s activities comes from private and public contributors, including the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, which is one of the conference sponsors. The Mott Foundation funding for the energy initiative will support the working group’s visit to the Summit and Swedish BioGas International.
“The City of Flint will be on an important international stage when our working group attends the Global Yes Summit,” said Mr. Herman. “This is an excellent opportunity to introduce our community to leaders and experts from across the globe.” There is a wealth of information to be mined and important international connections to be made with potential investors, he said.
City of Flint Mayor, Dayne Walling, has been invited to make a presentation at the Summit. His presentation, "Zero-Waste as an Engine for Development,” will be among those being given by dignitaries and experts from around the globe. Mayor Walling and community leadership want Flint to become a "zero-waste" city, where new jobs in recycling, alternative energy and improving the environment will play a key role in diversifying the local economy.
“Our goal is to raise the visibility of the unique, progressive programs underway in Flint that are aligned with a vision to create green jobs and a green community,” said Mr. Herman. “We also want to strengthen our relationship with Swedish BioGas International. It is an exciting company and their success in the United States is directly linked to their success in Flint. This is one of several economic development initiatives we must focus on as we move the community and our local economy forward.”
Among those attending the Summit will be representatives from the City of Flint, the State of Michigan and other government agencies, the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, Kettering University, the Mass Transportation Authority and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
