Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester announced today that a pollution prevention project proposed by Watkins Management has received a $75,730 low interest loan through the DEQ's Small Business Pollution Prevention Loan Program.

This loan enables Watkins Management to replace an existing perchloroethylene (perc) drycleaning machine at their One-Hour Martinizing location in Grosse Pointe Woods with a new alternative solvent drycleaning machine. Perc is a solvent that may be harmful to public health and the environment and this new equipment is capable of using a hydrocarbon or silicon based solvent that is better for our environment.

"Watkins Management's commitment to protecting the health of our environment is commendable," said Director Chester. "This project is an example of the many ways that businesses of all types, including medical offices, can play a role in reducing pollution."

The DEQ and the company's local lending institution, Citizens Bank, each contributed half of the loan proceeds.

"We will be using the new, non-toxic, GreenEarth Cleaning solution in this new machine at Martinizing Drycleaning," said Todd Watkins, member of Watkins Management. "We are thrilled that, especially in the current difficult economy, there is a low interest program available from the DEQ that helps us accomplish our goals. I don't think we would be doing this without the program."

Businesses with fewer than 500 employees can apply for loans of up to $400,000 with a guaranteed interest rate of not more than five percent. The short application helps businesses describe how their projects will eliminate or reduce waste through source reduction, environmentally sound reuse, and/or recycling; including water and energy conservation projects.

Loans are available to all private business sectors including farming, manufacturing, retail, and service. For more information, contact the DEQ's Environmental Assistance Center at 800-662-9278, or by e-mail at deq-ead-env-assist@michigan.gov.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised August 29, 2008 by Pat Watson