Energy Park
It was announced in August 2009 that the former Ford Wixom plant would be converted to a green energy production plant with an initial investment of $725 million. The potential investment is expected to exceed $1 billion if the project develops. Two separate companies, Xtreme Power and Clairvoyant Energy will redevelop the factory and hire a combined 4,000-plus employees. The two companies plan on occupying half of the factory, with the goal that the other half will be occupied by other alternative energy companies. When the project is completed it will be the largest renewable energy park in the United States.
As of August, 2010 all parties, Xtreme Power, Clairvoyant Energy, Ford and the State of Michigan, were still on board with the Energy Park plan. The energy companies are waiting for the federal government to approve interim loan guarantees to begin construction. Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm said, "There's been a great effort to partner with the federal government on investment, but that application process is often very cumbersome," and added "So streamlining that, I think, has got to be the next step for the federal government in continuous improvement." Currently, Ford is working to dismantle the inside of the former automobile factory in preparation for the energy park. As of 12/7/12, the Ford plant is being torn down and is rumored to become a Menards store.
Read more about this topic: Wixom Assembly Plant
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