The Department of Natural Resources and Environment announced today that two grants totaling $303,100 have been awarded to Michigan companies to provide for the increased reuse of scrap tires.  Steel Supply and Engineering of Grand Rapids will receive a $265,000 grant to reimburse 50 percent of the cost to purchase equipment, and conduct research and development on a new commercial stair step that contains recycled tires.  The village of Mattawan in Van Buren County will also receive a $38,100 grant to reimburse 50 percent of the cost to apply and test a road surface made from ground tires.  This new road surface containing scrap tires could extend the life of the road, while providing greater resistance to cracking.

These two new grants are announced just as the most recent market development grant project, awarded in 2008, is completed.  Entech, Inc., of White Pigeon received a grant to install equipment to manufacture crumb rubber.  This successful grant project increased the production of crumb rubber in the state, which is used in many applications such as playground and athletic surfaces, molded and extruded products, and road projects. 

Funding for this grant program is available under the authority of Part 169, Scrap Tires, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended.  Persons creating new or increased markets for Michigan scrap tires were eligible to apply for these funds.

The DNRE is currently accepting Letters of Interest for a special round of Scrap Tire Market Development Grants geared towards using tires in road projects.  For more information, please visit the DNRE Web site at http://tiny.cc/rta46 .  Letters of Interest are due April 30, 2010, and any questions regarding the program can be directed to Ms. Rhonda Oyer Zimmerman at 517‑373‑4750 or by e‑mail at oyerr@michigan.gov .

The DNRE is committed to conserve, manage, protect, and promote accessible use and enjoyment of the state's environmental, natural resource, and related economic interests for current and future generations.