HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – The city of Holland got an Independence Day holiday gift from Lansing just as City Hall was closing for the weekend on Friday.
The state Department of Treasury and the Michigan Agency for Energy awarded the Tulip City an 11 million-dollar Qualified Energy Conservation Bond. The two agencies distribute Michigan’s share of a 3.2 billion-dollar federal program that helps finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects among local units of government.
Holland’s bid was based on its snowmelt system, expanded and bolstered by the building of the Holland Energy Park, providing the heating necessary for the Holland Civic Center when the 62-year-old structure is renovated. The QEC bonds will be used to help the city pay down the interest on capital bonds for the 16.5 million-dollar project to about one percent instead of the current market rate.
The Holland Civic Center Place project could get off of the ground after a final public hearing and a vote during this coming Wednesday’s City Council meeting. A retained consultant has been conducting various meetings and briefings with all interested parties since this past fall in an effort to renovate the building and its vicinity.
A two million-dollar donation from the family of George and Lucile Heeringa provided the seed money for the project, with private fundraising looking to eat into the other 14.5 million dollars needed.
