Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has unveiled a newly redesigned web page for the Elder Abuse Task Force at michigan.gov/ag/initiatives/elder-abuse/elder-abuse-task-force.
The updated site offers a more accessible and user-friendly resource for individuals seeking information on how to recognize, report, and prevent elder abuse.
Michigan’s Elder Abuse Task Force launched in 2019 and consists of more than 55 different organizations in the public, private and nonprofit sectors – all working together to combat elder abuse. More than 100 individuals on the Task Force working diligently to accomplish nine initiatives (PDF), including requiring certification and training for professional guardians.
The redesigned web page highlights several major achievements, including:
• The use of the Vulnerable Adult Incident Report (PDF) statewide to investigate abuse or financial exploitation.
• The Financial Exploitation Prevention Act (PDF), which requires financial institutions to report financial exploitation.
• Teaching Michigan residents how to spot and stop abuse.
• The Uniform Power of Attorney Act (PDF), which adopts uniform standards for the creation and use of a power of attorney form used by more than 30 other states.
“The Elder Abuse Task Force does incredible work to protect some of our most vulnerable residents,” Nessel said. “This web page is just another example of how the Task Force is raising awareness, expanding access to resources, and
empowering the public to take action in the fight to end elder abuse.”
In addition to showcasing the Task Force’s ongoing work, the web page includes previously issued publications and newsletters, guidance on how to spot signs of elder abuse, an FAQ on guardianship laws, and instructions on how to report suspected abuse.
More than 100,000 older adults in Michigan are victims of elder abuse. They experience abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Michigan residents seeking elder abuse resources are encouraged to call (800) 24-ABUSE (22873) or (855) 444-3911 to report suspected elder abuse.
The updated site offers a more accessible and user-friendly resource for individuals seeking information on how to recognize, report, and prevent elder abuse.
Michigan’s Elder Abuse Task Force launched in 2019 and consists of more than 55 different organizations in the public, private and nonprofit sectors – all working together to combat elder abuse. More than 100 individuals on the Task Force working diligently to accomplish nine initiatives (PDF), including requiring certification and training for professional guardians.
The redesigned web page highlights several major achievements, including:
• The use of the Vulnerable Adult Incident Report (PDF) statewide to investigate abuse or financial exploitation.
• The Financial Exploitation Prevention Act (PDF), which requires financial institutions to report financial exploitation.
• Teaching Michigan residents how to spot and stop abuse.
• The Uniform Power of Attorney Act (PDF), which adopts uniform standards for the creation and use of a power of attorney form used by more than 30 other states.
“The Elder Abuse Task Force does incredible work to protect some of our most vulnerable residents,” Nessel said. “This web page is just another example of how the Task Force is raising awareness, expanding access to resources, and
empowering the public to take action in the fight to end elder abuse.”
In addition to showcasing the Task Force’s ongoing work, the web page includes previously issued publications and newsletters, guidance on how to spot signs of elder abuse, an FAQ on guardianship laws, and instructions on how to report suspected abuse.
More than 100,000 older adults in Michigan are victims of elder abuse. They experience abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Michigan residents seeking elder abuse resources are encouraged to call (800) 24-ABUSE (22873) or (855) 444-3911 to report suspected elder abuse.
Area Firm Joins Consumers Renewable Energy Program
Consumers Energy and ESPEC North America, Inc. have announced a partnership to power the Ottawa County-based environmental and reliability testing equipment manufacturing company with clean energy and bring new renewable energy into Michigan’s electric grid.
Under Consumers Energy’s Renewable Energy Program, major electricity accounts at ESPEC North America will source renewable energy from new Consumers Energy Michigan-based wind and solar projects beginning in 2028. ESPEC North America can also claim the Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) tied to the projects, further reducing the company’s carbon footprint and advancing its commitment that innovation and environmental responsibility must go hand in hand.
“We commend ESPEC North America for making the commitment to match 100 percent of the energy it uses with renewable energy from Consumers Energy,” said Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy’s senior vice president, customer growth officer. “Together, we’re making a meaningful impact in adding flexible generation sources to Michigan’s grid while fostering economic growth and creating jobs.”
Based in Hudsonville, ESPEC North America says joining Consumers’ renewable energy program is essential not only for protecting our planet for future generations but also for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the industries it serves, helping the company strengthen its ability to innovate responsibly, reduce its environmental footprint, and align with the global Environmental Vision 2050 of its parent company, ESPEC Corp.
“At ESPEC North America, we are committed to doing our part to advance environmental sustainability through meaningful action. We are unique in our contribution to the global clean energy push as we have numerous partners whom we serve in their endeavors to develop new and innovative renewable energy solutions,” ESPEC North America President Luke Polega said. “Partnering with Consumers Energy allows us to invest in some of those solutions and begin to see results that have a real impact on our environment.”
In total, the more than 50 businesses that Consumers Energy serves have committed to more than 700 megawatts of emission-free renewable energy supporting their sustainability goals. That’s enough generation to power approximately 84,000 homes each year and equivalent to removing greenhouse gas emissions produced from over 190,500 cars on the road annually from the environment, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calculations.
ESPEC North America joins notable Michigan program participants, including General Motors, Interlochen Center for the Arts, and the cities of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, among others, in accelerating the development of green energy infrastructure.
Consumers Energy’s Renewable Energy Program offers a local, cost-effective, flexible, and turnkey solution for businesses looking to align with sustainability goals while supporting the planet for future generations. Enrollment not only advances greening Michigan’s grid but also supports Michigan jobs created through building and operating renewable energy projects.
Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
Under Consumers Energy’s Renewable Energy Program, major electricity accounts at ESPEC North America will source renewable energy from new Consumers Energy Michigan-based wind and solar projects beginning in 2028. ESPEC North America can also claim the Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) tied to the projects, further reducing the company’s carbon footprint and advancing its commitment that innovation and environmental responsibility must go hand in hand.
“We commend ESPEC North America for making the commitment to match 100 percent of the energy it uses with renewable energy from Consumers Energy,” said Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy’s senior vice president, customer growth officer. “Together, we’re making a meaningful impact in adding flexible generation sources to Michigan’s grid while fostering economic growth and creating jobs.”
Based in Hudsonville, ESPEC North America says joining Consumers’ renewable energy program is essential not only for protecting our planet for future generations but also for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the industries it serves, helping the company strengthen its ability to innovate responsibly, reduce its environmental footprint, and align with the global Environmental Vision 2050 of its parent company, ESPEC Corp.
“At ESPEC North America, we are committed to doing our part to advance environmental sustainability through meaningful action. We are unique in our contribution to the global clean energy push as we have numerous partners whom we serve in their endeavors to develop new and innovative renewable energy solutions,” ESPEC North America President Luke Polega said. “Partnering with Consumers Energy allows us to invest in some of those solutions and begin to see results that have a real impact on our environment.”
In total, the more than 50 businesses that Consumers Energy serves have committed to more than 700 megawatts of emission-free renewable energy supporting their sustainability goals. That’s enough generation to power approximately 84,000 homes each year and equivalent to removing greenhouse gas emissions produced from over 190,500 cars on the road annually from the environment, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calculations.
ESPEC North America joins notable Michigan program participants, including General Motors, Interlochen Center for the Arts, and the cities of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, among others, in accelerating the development of green energy infrastructure.
Consumers Energy’s Renewable Energy Program offers a local, cost-effective, flexible, and turnkey solution for businesses looking to align with sustainability goals while supporting the planet for future generations. Enrollment not only advances greening Michigan’s grid but also supports Michigan jobs created through building and operating renewable energy projects.
Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
EPA Awards County $500,000 for Brownfield Redevelopment
With 24 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and more than 30 miles of the Grand River flowing through its borders, Ottawa County’s economic fortunes have always been linked with water access.
Although this legacy of shoreline commerce and development helped to build the county we know today, it also left behind a legacy of abandoned, underutilized, and sometimes contaminated sites in need of revitalization.
Now, thanks to a $500,000 Brownfield Assessment Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more of these waterfront sites can be better positioned for restoration and redevelopment.
Announced by the EPA on May 16, Ottawa County was one of 207 communities selected nationwide through a competitive grant process to receive funding from a pool of $224 million for Brownfield Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (ARC) grants.
“We’re extremely grateful to receive this funding to jumpstart brownfield development on priority sites within the county,” County Agriculture & Economic Resources Coordinator Becky Huttenga said.
Funds from the 2020 EPA grant helped support site assessment at Terra Station, a 12-building, mixed-use complex currently under construction in Hudsonville.
This is the third time Ottawa County has received funds for site assessment from the EPA since the Ottawa County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (OCBRA) was first established in 2008.
Previous grants have made a major impact locally: With a $400,000 award in 2013, the county was able to assist 34 different projects and leverage an estimated $35.6 million worth of investment into brownfield properties. A $300,000 award in 2020 enabled the county to assist 29 different projects and leverage an estimated $90 million.
With around 140 known contaminated sites in Grand Haven, particularly along the Grand River corridor, and 163 contaminated and blighted properties in Holland (many of which are located along the north and east end of Lake Macatawa), these federal dollars can have a major impact on protecting local waterways and fuel waterfront development.
The grant funds will be used primarily for Phase I environmental site assessments, which helps reveal current property conditions and any possible environmental threats; and Phase II assessments, which are conducted if any known or potential contamination has been found on a property. A smaller portion of funds are earmarked for general cleanup planning, which includes brownfield redevelopment plans and/or due care and compliance reports, or other analyses.
How many assessments can be conducted will vary based on the properties selected, but it is estimated that roughly 34 can be funded.
“Often the biggest barrier to redeveloping these sites is the unknown costs,” Huttenga said. “This grant support will allow us to significantly increase site evaluations, ensuring that developers know what to expect.”
Having knowledge about a property’s environmental situation can be an effective marketing tool. With potential obstacles to redevelopment known, developers may be more likely to consider these properties for projects.
Although primarily intended to support sites in the cities of Holland and Grand Haven, the funding may also be used elsewhere following a thorough site selection process overseen by OCBRA. More information on how to access these grant funds will be made available once the grant agreement between the County and the EPA is put in place.
A brownfield is a property where redevelopment is hindered by real or perceived environmental contamination, blight, or functional obsolescence. These hurdles can be costly and often prevent sites from being redeveloped.
Brownfield programs incentivize redevelopment of these sites through various state and federal tools, such as grants to fund site assessments and/or eligible cleanup activities, tax increment financing to offset development costs, and more.
The benefits of redeveloping brownfield properties are many, including:
• Returning problematic properties to the tax rolls
• Attracting developers to brownfields, creating jobs and investment.
• Increasing the value of nearby properties
• Reducing sprawl by reusing properties with existing infrastructure
• Cleaning up environmental contamination
The Ottawa County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (OCBRA) works cooperatively with all cities, villages, and townships in the County to provide access to incentives and support for brownfield redevelopment, particularly for those communities that do not have a local BRA. The OCBRA meets as needed on the third Thursday of the month at the County Administration Building in West Olive.
For more information about the brownfield redevelopment or this EPA grant, contact the OCBRA at (616) 738-4852, plan @miottawa.org, or by visiting miottawa.org/brownfields.
Although this legacy of shoreline commerce and development helped to build the county we know today, it also left behind a legacy of abandoned, underutilized, and sometimes contaminated sites in need of revitalization.
Now, thanks to a $500,000 Brownfield Assessment Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more of these waterfront sites can be better positioned for restoration and redevelopment.
Announced by the EPA on May 16, Ottawa County was one of 207 communities selected nationwide through a competitive grant process to receive funding from a pool of $224 million for Brownfield Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (ARC) grants.
“We’re extremely grateful to receive this funding to jumpstart brownfield development on priority sites within the county,” County Agriculture & Economic Resources Coordinator Becky Huttenga said.
Funds from the 2020 EPA grant helped support site assessment at Terra Station, a 12-building, mixed-use complex currently under construction in Hudsonville.
This is the third time Ottawa County has received funds for site assessment from the EPA since the Ottawa County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (OCBRA) was first established in 2008.
Previous grants have made a major impact locally: With a $400,000 award in 2013, the county was able to assist 34 different projects and leverage an estimated $35.6 million worth of investment into brownfield properties. A $300,000 award in 2020 enabled the county to assist 29 different projects and leverage an estimated $90 million.
With around 140 known contaminated sites in Grand Haven, particularly along the Grand River corridor, and 163 contaminated and blighted properties in Holland (many of which are located along the north and east end of Lake Macatawa), these federal dollars can have a major impact on protecting local waterways and fuel waterfront development.
The grant funds will be used primarily for Phase I environmental site assessments, which helps reveal current property conditions and any possible environmental threats; and Phase II assessments, which are conducted if any known or potential contamination has been found on a property. A smaller portion of funds are earmarked for general cleanup planning, which includes brownfield redevelopment plans and/or due care and compliance reports, or other analyses.
How many assessments can be conducted will vary based on the properties selected, but it is estimated that roughly 34 can be funded.
“Often the biggest barrier to redeveloping these sites is the unknown costs,” Huttenga said. “This grant support will allow us to significantly increase site evaluations, ensuring that developers know what to expect.”
Having knowledge about a property’s environmental situation can be an effective marketing tool. With potential obstacles to redevelopment known, developers may be more likely to consider these properties for projects.
Although primarily intended to support sites in the cities of Holland and Grand Haven, the funding may also be used elsewhere following a thorough site selection process overseen by OCBRA. More information on how to access these grant funds will be made available once the grant agreement between the County and the EPA is put in place.
A brownfield is a property where redevelopment is hindered by real or perceived environmental contamination, blight, or functional obsolescence. These hurdles can be costly and often prevent sites from being redeveloped.
Brownfield programs incentivize redevelopment of these sites through various state and federal tools, such as grants to fund site assessments and/or eligible cleanup activities, tax increment financing to offset development costs, and more.
The benefits of redeveloping brownfield properties are many, including:
• Returning problematic properties to the tax rolls
• Attracting developers to brownfields, creating jobs and investment.
• Increasing the value of nearby properties
• Reducing sprawl by reusing properties with existing infrastructure
• Cleaning up environmental contamination
The Ottawa County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (OCBRA) works cooperatively with all cities, villages, and townships in the County to provide access to incentives and support for brownfield redevelopment, particularly for those communities that do not have a local BRA. The OCBRA meets as needed on the third Thursday of the month at the County Administration Building in West Olive.
For more information about the brownfield redevelopment or this EPA grant, contact the OCBRA at (616) 738-4852, plan @miottawa.org, or by visiting miottawa.org/brownfields.
State Government Owns 48M Square Feet of Buildings
By Scott McClallen
Michigan Capitol Confidential
If Michigan’s government were strapped for cash, it could sell some of its 48 million square feet of office space.
Michigan Information & Research Service (MIRS) asked Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently if the state needs all its state buildings it has, given that state employees work remotely.
“We have shrunk our footprint, and we want to make sure that we can do the job,” Whitmer said. “We are always analyzing where there are opportunities to be efficient and without compromising the work that needs to be done for the people of Michigan.”
Whitmer answered questions as media outlets have pressed Michigan about why it won’t order state employees to return to the office.
Michigan Capitol Confidential obtained the addresses of the roughly 800 building complexes and 5,000 individual structures of state-owned facility space. The information came through a records request placed with the Department of
Technology, Management, and Budget. The state owns, among other things:
• More than 1,200 parks
• 304 multicasts (read: land containing radio and communication towers).
• 211 parking garages
• 704 prisons or correctional institutes
• 60 bridges
• 47 shooting ranges
• 43 game hunting areas
• 41 welcome centers
• 27 weigh stations
CapCon requested documents showing the number of state workers who work in person. The agency billed CapCon $3,465 for public information that would show how many state workers work in person and how many work remotely.
The request asked for employee card and badge swipes, internal sign-in logs, memos regarding return to in-person work, and any individualized authorizations for beginning or continuing remote work in Lansing in January, February and March 2025.
Michigan owns 2.975 million square feet of land in Gogebic County called Copper Peak — the largest single piece of property it owns.
Copper Peak is the largest ski jump in North America. It was constructed in 1969 at a cost of more than $1 million. Today, visitors can ride an 800-foot chairlift and an 18-story elevator to an observation deck, then walk eight flights to the top of Copper Peak. The site has not hosted a ski jump competition since 1994, according to the Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association.
Most of the state’s properties are office buildings (333), other buildings (21) or land. The state owns 16 warehouses, nine mixed-use buildings, eight parking lots, two labs, two mechanic shops. It also owns one hospital, listed as a P.O. box.
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Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.
Michigan Capitol Confidential
If Michigan’s government were strapped for cash, it could sell some of its 48 million square feet of office space.
Michigan Information & Research Service (MIRS) asked Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently if the state needs all its state buildings it has, given that state employees work remotely.
“We have shrunk our footprint, and we want to make sure that we can do the job,” Whitmer said. “We are always analyzing where there are opportunities to be efficient and without compromising the work that needs to be done for the people of Michigan.”
Whitmer answered questions as media outlets have pressed Michigan about why it won’t order state employees to return to the office.
Michigan Capitol Confidential obtained the addresses of the roughly 800 building complexes and 5,000 individual structures of state-owned facility space. The information came through a records request placed with the Department of
Technology, Management, and Budget. The state owns, among other things:
• More than 1,200 parks
• 304 multicasts (read: land containing radio and communication towers).
• 211 parking garages
• 704 prisons or correctional institutes
• 60 bridges
• 47 shooting ranges
• 43 game hunting areas
• 41 welcome centers
• 27 weigh stations
CapCon requested documents showing the number of state workers who work in person. The agency billed CapCon $3,465 for public information that would show how many state workers work in person and how many work remotely.
The request asked for employee card and badge swipes, internal sign-in logs, memos regarding return to in-person work, and any individualized authorizations for beginning or continuing remote work in Lansing in January, February and March 2025.
Michigan owns 2.975 million square feet of land in Gogebic County called Copper Peak — the largest single piece of property it owns.
Copper Peak is the largest ski jump in North America. It was constructed in 1969 at a cost of more than $1 million. Today, visitors can ride an 800-foot chairlift and an 18-story elevator to an observation deck, then walk eight flights to the top of Copper Peak. The site has not hosted a ski jump competition since 1994, according to the Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association.
Most of the state’s properties are office buildings (333), other buildings (21) or land. The state owns 16 warehouses, nine mixed-use buildings, eight parking lots, two labs, two mechanic shops. It also owns one hospital, listed as a P.O. box.
—————
Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.
