The Michigan Public Service Commission has awarded a $5 million grant to the Sustainable Business Park project planned at a Dorr Township site.

The project is being overseen by the Kent County Department of Public Works in an effort to divert up to 90 percent of waste into recyclable materials. Because the Kent County landfill is nearing closure, the site in the northeast corner of Dorr Township has been identified as the home of the effort.

DPW Director Darwin Baas, who has appeared before the Dorr Township Board many times, told WOOD-TV Channel 8, “Kent County has a real opportunity to create a better world for future generations by building the Kent County Bioenergy Facility and Sustainable Business Park… Thank you to the Michigan Public Service Commission for recognizing the importance of this project in helping achieve Kent County’s landfill diversion goals.”

Anaergia, a global company that specializes in renewable fuel, is the anchor tenant in the business park, with plans to manufacture roofing materials from much of the waste, with intentions to reduce methane emissions.

Brett Hudson of Anaergia was reported by Channel 8 as saying, “Over 40% of what is landfilled in the U.S. creates methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is responsible for at least 30% of global warming to date — so projects like the one being developed by Kent County Bioenergy Facility will do no less than help save the planet.”

The Dorr Township Board has agreed to contribute $200,000 to the project from its American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds.

The Kent County Board of Commissioners will review plans. If they are approved, the bioenergy facility is expected to begin operations in early 2027.