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Small Manufacturers Retooling

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Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Small Manufacturers Retooling

EGLE offers matching grants to accelerate the implementation of energy efficiency for small manufacturers, through the Retooling Program. This program will help fund improvements that deliver meaningful energy and/or cost savings by enhancing the energy efficiency of Michigan’s small manufacturing facilities. As the MI Healthy Climate Plan recognizes, Michigan's industrial sector represents one of the state's greatest strengths, not only economically, but also on the path to decarbonization. Michigan has the 5th largest advanced manufacturing workforce in the country, with more than 65,000 workers employed in that sector in 2019. The Retooling Program is designed to help small Michigan manufacturers take advantage of opportunities to strengthen the resiliency of their businesses. 

Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposal and any questions with the program contact prior to submittal. Technical assistance is also available through the Retired Engineers Technical Assistance (RETAP) program. RETAP offers free onsite energy efficiency and sustainability technical assistance and assessments to small and medium-sized commercial businesses throughout Michigan. 

 

Eligibility requirements

Any manufacturer located in Michigan with five hundred (500) or fewer employees worldwide is eligible to apply.  Applicant must be in good standing with the State of Michigan. 

Projects must address one or more program objectives and one or more program priorities listed under Section I-B of the Request for Proposals. 

Funding amount

A total of $200,000 in funding is expected to be available for the program. The maximum individual grant award amount is $50,000. All grants require a minimum 100 percent (1:1) match. EGLE reserves the right to issue awards/award amounts reflecting program priorities. Expenditures incurred outside the executed grant agreement time period are ineligible. 

Program priorities

  • Manufacturers with significantly less than 500 employees worldwide
  • Improvements to the onsite manufacturing process
  • Utilizing state, federal, and utility energy assistance programs
  • Adoption of continuous improvement programs or practices
  • Adoption of innovative or cutting-edge technology
  • Activities with significant environmental and economic benefits
  • High value success stories of interest to many other manufacturers in Michigan

Awardee obligations

Applicants agree to:

  • Monthly progress reports emailed to program manager
  • Report impacts addressing potential energy and cost savings
  • Provide documentation of project expenditures (i.e. invoices and payments)
  • Submit payment request within 30 days of completing the project/activity
  • Onsite visit with EGLE staff following project completion
  • One-year follow-up survey on continued impacts of implemented project/activity

Application documents

Contact us

Tim Cameron, CameronT3@Michigan.gov or 517-898-1853

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I use funding for a project that is already start (or already finished)?

    No, for expenses to be reimbursed from grant funds, an EGLE grant agreement must be executed (signed) first. 

  • Can I use other funding sources for the required match?

    Other sources of funding (like utility rebates) are generally fine with a major exception: federal funds (such as USDA REAP) cannot be used as match. Retooling grant funding comes from a federal source (US Department of Energy), and we are not allowed to use other federal funds as the match. 

  • Would cannabis facilities be able to apply?

    No. This is due to restrictions on how federal funding is used.  Cannabis is illegal at the federal level. 

  • Would non-profits or municipalities be able to apply?

    Non-profits that operate as a small manufacturing business (<500 employees worldwide) physically located in Michigan (as described in Section 1-D of the RFP) are eligible to apply. These grants are not designed for municipalities.