June 7, 2022 - Coldwater, MI – Apex Clean Energy is pleased to announce five local non-profit organizations as grant recipients from the Spring 2022 cycle of the Coldwater Solar Community Grant Program. Since it’s launch, the community grant program has awarded 19 grants to local organizations focused on improving their community in the follow areas: Building Healthy Communities, Economic Development, Environmental Sustainability, and Promoting Education.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with all of these great organizations in Branch County,” said Connor Podkul, development manager for Coldwater Solar. “Local solar projects are long-term sources of revenue and support for the communities that host them. We are proud to do our part to support the missions of these important community organizations.”

The Coldwater Area Chamber of Commerce will receive a $1,500 grant for their Chamber Champions program. This program supports local businesses that have been disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and provides them extra resources and support to continue providing goods and services to local residents.

“We are so happy to see all the outpouring of love and support we are getting from the community for our Chamber Champion program. This is what makes our community so special,” says Lori Hunt of the Coldwater Area Chamber. “When there is a need people rise to the challenge. What a great way of wrapping this up with our biggest donation coming in from Coldwater Solar!”

“Branch Area Rescue Coalition is thrilled to be receiving a grant from Coldwater Solar as kitten season comes into full swing. Our volunteers work tirelessly assisting in the trap, neuter, recovery, and release of feral cats in our community to help reduce animal overpopulation,” says Cathy Schaupp of BARC.

“This money will allow us to spay and neuter more of these cats allowing them to live out their lives without reproducing, in turn reducing their numbers, and the perceived nuisance and burden on area businesses and neighborhoods.” Coldwater Solar will be providing a $500 grant to BARC in order to assist with these efforts. 

The Branch District Library will be working to create a “Bookmobile” and a $1,000 grant from Coldwater Solar will be supporting the effort.

“We are really excited to launch the Bookmobile, and what the access to materials means for the citizens of all the corners of Branch County, said Jessica Tefft, Director of Public Services for Branch District Library. “The grant allows us to purchase programming materials for the Bookmobile, and allows for all patrons to have access to our wonderful programs, and we are so grateful for it!”

The Children’s Museum of Branch County is creating an interactive construction exhibit where kids can learn about balancing, weight and mass. Coldwater Solar’s $1,000 community grant will help the Children’s Museum further their efforts to provide a STEAM education in Branch County.

“We are very grateful to Coldwater Solar for their continued support in our STEAM exhibits at the Children’s Museum of Branch County. They are a tremendous partner in education through play at the CMBC,” said board member Shana Grife. 

Branch County Habitat for Humanity will receive $1,000 to help expand their work helping low-income families with home repairs and building wheelchair ramps to make homes accessible for those with disabilities.

“The financial assistance provided by the grant from Apex Clean Energy will help us provide necessary improvements to homes that belong to families needing wheelchair accessibility, and general home improvements to provide a safe living environment,” says Jim McDaniels, Habitat President. “Through the financial assistance provided, we will be able to touch and enrich the lives of veterans, senior citizens, and handicapped homeowners living in Branch County.”

Coldwater Solar’s ongoing commitment is to be a strong community partner to the residents, businesses, and non-profit organizations serving Coldwater and Ovid Townships, and the entire Branch County community. The Community Grant Program will continue to support pressing community needs and local organizations making a meaningful impact throughout 2022. To learn more or apply for a future grant, visit coldwatersolar.com/grant.

# # #

About Coldwater Solar: A project of Apex Clean Energy, Coldwater Solar is a proposed utility-scale solar energy project that is expected to have the capacity to generate up to 150MW of homegrown Michigan clean energy, enough to power close to 26,000 American homes while diversifying the local economy and supporting jobs in the community.

Situated in Coldwater and Ovid Townships in rural Branch County, the location has access to existing transmission lines on open private land and is highly suitable for a solar energy project. If approved the project would create tens millions of dollars in construction spending and millions of dollars in personal property tax payments to township governments, local school districts, and Branch County over the 30-plus-year lifetime of the project.

For more information visit www.ColdwaterSolar.com