For the past several years, in June, the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) has hosted an event called the Michigan Energy Fair to “promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.” For the past few years, this event, which draws up to 6,000 people, has been held at the Manistee County Fairgrounds. This year, however, they’re looking for another venue. The organization has recently issued a request for proposal (PDF), which is due January 18, and, from what I hear, there’s a movement afoot to lobby for Ypsilanti… Here, for background, is a clip from the RFP:
…This proposal is looking for local communities, townships, and locations for the Michigan Energy Fair, which has an expected attendance for 2010 of 6,000 people for the weekend. Previous fairs located at the Manistee County Fair Grounds, with a peak attendance of 6,000 people, 140 exhibitors, and Governor Jennifer Granholm speaking to a crowd of 1,500. While located at the fairgrounds a combination of tents, and indoor space were utilized to manage the logistics of the event. This event has run the course of a weekend with events opening on Friday and closing on Sunday. The GLREA staff is in the area for a week to oversee the additional days of set up and tear down leading up to and occurring after the MEF. It has been GLREA’s experience that regardless of the location it takes a community effort to put on the Michigan Energy Fair…
As it’s been explained to me, there are still some unknowns. Most significantly, it looks as though they may be looking for the host community to contribute financially – something which the community of Manistee hadn’t been called upon to do. As I understand it, the GLREA has historically funded this event (in part) through a $6,000 community energy project grant, which was not offered by the State this year. The wording of the RFP is a bit fuzzy, but consensus seems to be that they’re looking for a community willing to cover facility costs and handle some portion of the coordination.
Clearly it would be difficult for a cash-strapped community like our own to support such an endeavor, but I can’t image a better community to host it… with our proximity of EMU and UM, local organizations like the Clean Energy Coalition, successful initiatives like Solar Ypsi, and our proven ability to successfully host large outdoor gatherings (like ElvisFest, the Michigan Brewers Guild Beer Festival, and Heritage Fest). And, I don’t suppose that it would hurt if we got the Freighthouse open by then, and had a working rail stop on the Detroit – Ann Arbor line… Hell, we might even be able to get the Cycle Powered Cinema project up and running by then.
My first inclination upon hearing of this opportunity, I’ll admit, was to say that we shouldn’t apply. As our incredibly cash-strapped community is presently looking to lay off police and fire personnel, I didn’t think we had the luxury of considering a new festival which, while requiring support, likely wouldn’t be paying for said support. The more I think about it, though, the more it seemed to me that we should pursue it. If we really want to position Ypsi as a city where green businesses can thrive, I think we have to go for it. And, if we could get the local Universities onboard, offering space, and perhaps kicking in some money, I don’t imagine that we’d need much more. Also, I’m certain that we could pull together a volunteer committee to handle many of the details.
As I understand it, the Ypsilanti Area Convention & Visitors Bureau isn’t optimistic about our chances, based upon parking, kitchen availability, public restrooms and banquet facilities. (For this reason, I hear they’re planning to propose the Washtenaw County Fairgrounds.) According to the RFP, the GLREA is requiring 2,000 parking spaces, a banquet hall that can seat 500, kitchen facilities, and ample public restrooms. While I’ll admit that it would take some work, I suspect that each of these objections could be overcome with a little effort… We could park cars on Water Street. We could ask EMU to host the banquet. We could rent the kitchen at what used to be Cady’s. And, of course, we could bring in temporary restroom facilities.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way… Now we just have to see if our leaders have the will.
