Community Action of Allegan County and Apex Clean Energy have announced a new partnership to expand access to crisis utility assistance for families in the Wayland area.
Through the Blazing Star Solar Community Grant Program, Apex Clean Energy is contributing $15,000 toward expansion of the crisis utility assistance program for residents of Wayland Township, the City of Wayland, and surrounding area.
Apex Clean Energy is expanding access to affordable, homegrown Michigan clean energy for both utilities and rate payers.
“Hundreds of Allegan County families, including dozens in the Wayland area, fall behind on utility bills each year and existing programs frequently run out of funds to serve local needs,” said Brian O’Shea, director of public engagement at Apex Clean Energy. “Through this new partnership with Community Action of Allegan County, this program can be expanded ensure those in need have access to support when it is most needed.”
The partnership will help families in Allegan County living paycheck-to-paycheck, including families earning below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line and Asset Limited Income Constrained and Employed (ALICE) households struggling to meet basic needs for food, housing and health care.
“As winter comes to an end, many Allegan County residents still face a chilling reality: Funds to support utility assistance have been largely expended, and state and federal funding uncertainties remain. This leaves our nonprofit severely limited in our ability to meet the needs of families and individuals struggling to keep their homes warm and the lights on,” said Lisa Evans, executive director at Community Action of Allegan County. “We are deeply grateful for this new partnership with Apex Clean Energy to address the increased affordability challenges in our community and for increasing crisis utility funds to support our neighbors in need.”
Since 2022, the utility assistance program has needed an average of $690 to help each family in need. The program has very limited public funding and without support from community and company donations, the program often runs out of funds before being able to serve all eligible families in need.
To raise funds to support the program, Community Action of Allegan County holds an annual “Walk 4 Warmth” event to raise funds to support the program. This year, the event will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Allegan Sports Complex (1451 29th Street Allegan.
To learn more about the event, including how to register or sponsor, visit CommunityActionAllegan.org/walk-4-warmth/
Through the development of the Blazing Star Solar project in Wayland Township, Apex Clean Energy has been engaged with community organizations and residents. Through the Blazing Star Solar Community Grant Program, the company has already awarded more than $85,000 in grants and sponsorships to organizations throughout Allegan County. Recent recipients include the Wayland Wildcats Robotics Team, Wayland Fire Department, and the Allegan Conservation District.
The 125-megawatt Blazing Star Solar project planned for Wayland Township will generate enough electricity each year to power more than 20,000 average Michigan homes while providing a new source of income for local farmers and landowners. The project is expected to generate $24.6 million in local property taxes for local governments, county services, and the Wayland Union School District over its lifetime.
The project also will be a major economic development, generating hundreds of construction jobs as well as local career opportunities for long-term operations and maintenance staff.
More information about the project can be found online at www.BlazingStarSolar.com
