LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan is one of 5 organizations set to receive funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA rolled out $2 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants, $87.9 million will go to Michigan communities.
Five Michigan organizations will receive friends from the program to help jumpstart climate resiliency projects. Michigan’s Chief Infrastructure Officer, Zach Kolodin said these are ambitious projects that involve many community stakeholders.
“This is a really unique program that recognizes climate change affects all of us, but it affects disadvantaged communities more severely than anyone else,” Kolodin said. “investments like this recognize that fact and help those communities to become more resilient and also to deploy clean energy solutions locally.”
The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan is the recipient of two grants totaling $23 million to help with home repairs and energy-efficient upgrades. The Council represents 12 different tribes across northern Michgian and will be able to update 300 tribal homes with the funds. The tribe will dedicate $3 million to its wild rice inisitive which promotes sustainable agricultural practices.
Groups in the Detroit, Benton Harbor, and Kalamazoo areas are also receiving funds and finalizing plans for community resiliency hubs to provide resources durring extreme weather events.
Inflation Reduction Act dollars have been dedicated to addressing climate change and lowering costs for families. The Make It in Michigan competitiveness fund will also be matching 5% of the grantee’s federal awards in state funds.
Kolodin said the extra boost will help change the way tribes can participate in Michigan’s energy transition, making sure not just upper-class Michiganders, but everyone can benefit from the changes.
