Two announcements this week helped move Michigan forward on the path to leading the country in alternative energy innovation, production, and distribution. Yesterday, Governor Granholm announced $500,000 in grants to convert 1,000 Michigan fuel pumps to bio-diesel or ethanol by 2008. And on Monday the governor announced that The Venture Michigan Fund I has $200 million to invest in Michigan-based technology companies.

This is great news, particularly for our Northwest Michigan economy. As I’ve written here before, renewable energy represents a major opportunity to build on our regional strengths to create good paying, year-round jobs in the area. Ensuring that consumers have access to biofuels at Michigan gas stations helps build the stable market necessary for any ethanol produced in Northwest Michigan. And while the funds managed by VMF I are to be invested in technology companies, venture capital firms – whether created by the state, independently funded, or, like VMF I, a combination of both – are one of the strategic partners that can build on the promise of renewable energy companies and projects being located in our area.

In addition, these announcements are major achievements for Governor Granholm. Our governor has been at the forefront of the fight to make Michigan a major player in renewable energy developments. She also signed the legislation that created VMF I in the first place, and has been instrumental in steering the required legislation through a less-than-visionary GOP-controlled legislature. For example, earlier this year this legislature tried to kill off the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the very same agency that awarded the renewable energy grants and was key in setting up Next Energy, a public-private partnership that has provided both the vision and logistical expertise necessary to fulfill our state’s potential in this exciting emerging market sector.

The lesson here is clear: if we want more progress in building Michigan’s future, we not only need the continued leadership of our governor, we also need a legislature that understands the potential renewable energy represents for our state’s economic future, and the importance of strategic partners (including venture capital funds like VCF I) in achieving that potential. In other words, if you want a real change this November, vote Democrat!