Northville Township was recently awarded a silver designation from the 2021 Michigan Green Communities Challenge (MGC).
This achievement nods to the advancement in energy efficiency, recycling and a commitment to sustainability of the township, officials said.
"We have incorporated sustainability into the capital improvement process (CIP), installed LED lighting throughout all township facilities and are introducing weekly recycling after negotiating our rubbish collection contract," said Northville Township Facilities Manager Brandon McCullough, who spearheaded the community sustainability efforts.
Overall, 44 participating local governments were awarded gold, silver, or bronze seals of achievement reflecting community leadership in areas such as energy efficiency, climate adaptation and resilience, recycling, environmental justice, and more. Ten communities received bronze certification, 12 received silver certification, and 22 received gold certification.
The township was previously awarded a bronze designation in 2019, so there has been progress, officials noted, despite the program being paused because of the pandemic.
"We want our residents to know that the LED lighting, for instance, was made possible by our partners at DTE Energy, who provided grant funding for the project," said Township Treasurer Jason Rhines. "It will lower our electricity bill for years to come, so not only is it good for sustainability, but it is also saving our residents money."
The MGC program is open to all local governments in Michigan, at no cost. MGC is a sustainability networking, benchmarking, and technical assistance program. It guides and supports communities in adapting to a changing climate, protecting infrastructure, improving the quality of life for residents, and creating a more environmentally and economically sustainable future for the state of Michigan, according to the website.
Michigan Green Communities is supported by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; the Michigan Economic Development Corporation; the Michigan Association of Counties; the Michigan Municipal League; and the Michigan Townships Association. More details about this program can be found at www.migreencommunities.com. Questions regarding the Michigan Green Communities program can be directed to info@migreencommunities.com.
For questions regarding the Northville Township sustainability and environmental efforts, reach out to McCullough at bmccullough@twp.northville.mi.us.
