Lawrence Township Awarded $425K Grant for Solar Project

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Lawrence Township in Van Buren County, Michigan has been awarded a $425,000 state grant to support infrastructure and community improvements tied to the construction of the 85-megawatt Murch Solar project, a utility-scale solar farm being developed by Heelstone Renewable Energy for Amazon. The grant funding will be used for road upgrades, home energy efficiency improvements for residents, and investments in the local parks and recreation.

Why it matters

The grant program provides incentives for local governments to permit and host large-scale renewable energy projects, which can bring economic development and sustainability benefits to the community. Lawrence Township is leveraging the Murch Solar project to reinvest in local infrastructure and services, demonstrating how solar can be a catalyst for broader community improvements.

The details

The $425,000 grant comes from Michigan's Renewables Ready Communities Award program, which supports local governments that facilitate the development of major renewable energy projects. Lawrence Township qualified for the funding by hosting the Murch Solar project, an 85-megawatt solar farm now under construction by Heelstone Renewable Energy on behalf of Amazon. The grant will be allocated across three areas: about $150,000 for road upgrades, $200,000 for home energy efficiency upgrades for residents, and $75,000 for improvements to the local parks and recreation facilities.

• The Murch Solar project is expected to begin operations in February 2027.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The grant funding will be allocated over the next year as the Murch Solar project progresses towards its targeted February 2027 operational start date.