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Press Release

For Immediate Release
Contact: Sean C. Bonyun
October 19, 2009
(202) 225-3761

Upton Scores $1 Million for Landmark Green Manufacturing Program at WMU
Funding will assist research in the development of green manufacturing practices, enabling small and large businesses to operate more efficiently and create jobs

KALAMAZOO, MI – While visiting Western Michigan University’s Parkview campus this morning, Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) joined President John Dunn to announce that he was successful in securing $1,000,000 for the institution’s landmark green engineering program.  The $1 million that Upton fought for in the House will support collaborative activities among the university, industry and community to enhance economic and workforce development, and provide technology transfer in green engineering, helping to create jobs locally as green technologies are adopted. Upton, top Republican on the House Energy and Environment Subcommittee, is a strong supporter of burgeoning green technologies and renewable sources of energy to create jobs and reduce emissions. Upton secured the funding in the Energy and Water Appropriations Act, H.R. 3183, which has been approved by the House and Senate and awaits the President’s signature to be enacted into law.

“Western Michigan University’s vision and leadership is helping transform our region into an epicenter of green jobs and technology,” said Upton.  “Adding green components into the manufacturing process will not only help large and small businesses operate more efficiently, but jobs will be created in the process.  Western Michigan University has always been at the forefront in energy and environment-related research, and the innovative green engineering curriculum is another chapter in that storied history.  Dr. Dunn and his impressive team of dedicated professors and researchers are trailblazers in the development of green technologies that will help transform our society.” 

WMU’s research will assist companies (small companies in particular) to take advantage of environmentally benign and energy conscious materials in their design and manufacturing processes.  The proposal is a collaborative project involving WMU College of Engineering, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, industry partners and community participants and seeks to enhance economic and workforce development and technology transfer through the advancement and use of environmentally friendly materials, designs, products and manufacturing processes and systems.  The project builds upon the already successful manufacturing, environment and energy research centers and programs at WMU.

“This funding will help create materials, designs and processes that are more environmentally friendly, energy efficient, and economically viable to better compete in global markets,” said Upton.  “This research will foster the expansion of businesses and create additional jobs in the workplace, helping our overall economy.”

Upton is strongly committed to helping Western Michigan University position itself at the forefront of revolutionary green technologies.  Upton has also delivered hundreds of thousands of dollars for WMU’s core lab to develop carbon capture and sequestration technologies as well as important funding in the research and development of algae biofuels.

Contact for Western Michigan University: Thom Meyers, 269-720-4713, thom.myers@wmich.edu

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