East Lansing Solar Array
The East Lansing “Go Green” mantra extends beyond Michigan State University athletics. Case in point: A collaboration with Lansing’s Board of Water & Light to build a solar array in Burcham Park that allows residents, businesses and organizations to buy into the long-term investment.
For $399, participants receive benefits to energy bill and planet for 25 years. Construction and maintenance costs are covered and plans are to build 1,000 panels. This project is demonstrative of the East Lansing commitment to going greener with renewable energy options.
We applaud East Lansing for helping create this opportunity for its residents and businesses – and for purchasing 10 of the panels right out of the gate – and also send kudos to the Board of Water & Light for continued development of its alternative energy portfolio. Collaboration like this will elevate the community , both in the eyes of potential residents and economically.
Bus Rapid Transit Plan
The $155 million Bus Rapid Transit Plan hit a roadblock this month when a proposal for $31 million in federal funding was rejected. Hopefully, this is just a speed bump and not a derailment. Community stakeholders have invested countless hours in developing the plan that would replace the Capital Area Transportation Authority’s No. 1 bus route with a 27-stop rapid transit system.
Coming at a critical time when residents need to hear positive reinforcement that the project is moving forward, the rejection needs to be countered quickly with a success. This setback, while not a reason to give up, does need to be addressed. This project has the chance to transform the Michigan Avenue/Grand River Avenue corridor and stakeholders must regroup and move forward.
Niowave, Inc.
In September, Niowave Inc. announced the creation of Molybdenum-99, a medical isotope used in hospitals across the country but previously only available from foreign suppliers. In addition to potentially making Lansing a major part of a $300 million medical isotope industry, the announcement also has implications on sustainability and national security. This is great news.
The production of medical isotopes is a $300 million industry and now Lansing has a foot in that marketplace. Niowave’s plans are ambitious. It hopes to be a major U.S. supplier of the medical isotope within a few years. All of this is happening at its Lansing facility near the Capital Region International Airport. Niowave is the type of homegrown company Greater Lansing needs to thrive.
Here’s to its continued success.