Aternative Energy in Region Five
Central MN Alternative Energy Collaborative
(CMAERC)
The CMAERC Goal is: To support a healthy regional economy by heightening the awareness of available alternative energy technologies, to strengthen existing businesses and align workforce development and financing resources for new and existing alternative energy companies within the defined region of: Crow Wing, Cass, Morrison, Todd, Wadena, Aitkin, Benton, and Mill Lacs counties.
R5DC applied for and was awarded a $50,000 Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) FIRST GRANT on behalf of the Central Minnesota Alternative Energy Regional Collaborative. CMAERC is a collaborative effort administrated and coordinated by the Region Five Development Commission.
Over fifteen meetings were held within a year to develop the final Regional Competitive Assessment & CMAERC Action Plan. A committed core group of approximately 30 CMAERC memebers who would later become taskforce members are dedicated to the implementation of the CMAERC strategies which include:
1. Educate businesses, governments, economic development professionals, non profits, institutions and the public about
opportunities
and resources around energy conservation and renewable energy.
2. Develop, encourage and/or market funding
opportunities
and incentives for energy conservation and renewable energy projects for businesses, governments, institutions and residential markets.
3. Collaborate to develop and/or market enhanced energy audit programs that work with energy conservation/efficiency and renewable energy options for businesses, governments, institutions (including non profits) and residential markets.
WORKFOCE AND TRAINING INITIATIVES
1. Residential auditor training provided by Dunwoody was brought to Central Lakes College with assistance of CMAERC members.
2. Central Lakes College has
offered two stackable certification programs in the area "green job training" CMAERC business sector representatives are now teaching courses as faculty at CLC.
3.CMAERC business sector involvement, CLC is in the process of converting their Ag Center into an "Energy Center".
4. Stimulus funding was obtained by Rural MN CEP to fund tuition of students for "Intro to Green Job Training" course offerings by CLC. Rural MN CEP and CLC have been active CMAERC members.
RELATED PLANNING EFFORTS
Some communities within the Initiative Foundation"Healthy Communities" have developed a focus on energy planning.
CMAERC members have assisted businesses such as Lakewood Health System and Clow Stamping with the development of energy plans for their companies.
SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS
Through a unique partnership of the Clean Energy Resource Teams - CERTs and the CMAERC,( a collaborative administrated by the R5DC), hired a "CERTs-CMAERC Regional Organizer." Angela Headlee will provide
coordination
assistance to various groups and individuals to identify and implement new, emerging and established community-scale energy efficiency and clean energy projects across the region.
For more information regarding clean energy projects or information related to the CERTs-CMAERC collaborative please contact Angela Headlee at aheadlee@regionfive.org.
Clean Energy Resource Teams FACTs:
CERTs: MN Building a Clean Energy Future
Other Regional Resources & Information:
Central MN Build Smart:
Resources for: Builders & Developers, Homeowners and Municipalities
MN Build Smart is a collaborative effort of the Fairview Office Park and Region Five Development Commission in partnership with local organizations interested in conservation. For more information please visit the Central MN Build Smart website at http://www.mnbuildsmart.org/
Recycling in Region Five:
What is a recyclable item?
What is a non-recyclable item?
Recycling Centers Directory
For more information regarding recycling in Minnesota visit: http://www.recycleminnesota.org/
Education & Training:
Central Lakes College
Renewable Energy Courses:
Renewable-Sustainable Energy Training Program
For information regarding courses, classes, and certifications, visit the CLC website or contact Bob Hanson at bhanson@clcmn.edu
Green Enterprise Assistance (GEA) pdf.
Wind Energy Careers