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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
*Feb. 2, 2026   
Jeff Johnston, EGLE Public Information Officer, [email protected], 517-231-9304

Opportunity opens to help communities expand accessible and affordable ‘green lending’ across Michigan

"EGLE’s newest MI Healthy Climate Challenge grant competition will help finance clean energy"

Applications are open for a new opportunity to help lenders and Michigan communities advance clean energy financing – known as green lending – with education, coordination, tools, and technical assistance. 

The Office of Climate and Energy (OCE) in the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) created the Growing Green Lending Challenge, a competitive grant opportunity, as EGLE’s newest MI Healthy Climate Challenge [ [link removed] ] (MHC Challenge). It offers up to a total of $500,000 to develop and deploy strategies that help community lenders statewide expand accessible and affordable clean energy financing. 

“Green lending through Michigan’s community lenders is crucial in advancing a cleaner and more resilient future for all Michiganders,” said EGLE Director Phil Roos. “This challenge will help local financial institutions unlock capital for clean energy and sustainability projects, support communities across the state, and accelerate progress toward the goals outlined in the MI Healthy Climate Plan.”   

The Plan [ [link removed] ] is Michigan’s roadmap to a prosperous, sustainable, clean-energy future and a 100% carbon-neutral economy by 2050. 

*About the Growing Green Lending Challenge* 

The new MHC Challenge is open to applicants including financial institutions and organizations such as nonprofits, community organizations, local governments, and technical assistance providers that can help lenders develop or expand green lending in Michigan. 

Two to 10 projects are expected to receive grant awards ranging from $50,000 to $250,000. 

Funded projects will help local lenders and partners create practical solutions for financing clean energy projects. These may include:   


* Community outreach and helping borrowers prepare for funding. 

* Training lenders and increasing their capacity to support green lending. 

* Helping identify clean energy projects.    

* Developing technical assistance hubs to support lenders and partners.   

* Connecting lenders and contractors. 

* Supporting clean energy projects for affordable housing.    

* Mentoring or peer learning programs for lenders. 

* Other technical assistance, education, coordination, and tools that support green lending in Michigan. 

Projects should demonstrate clear public benefit and lay a foundation for broader adoption across Michigan.   

The previous MHC Challenge, Unlocking Elective Pay, announced its awards last month [ [link removed] ].    

*Growing Green Lending Challenge application timeline* 


* Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, March 22, 2026.   

* Find the application, eligibility details, project examples, and funding priorities at Michigan.gov/MHCChallenge [ [link removed] ]. 

*Educational webinars*   

EGLE will host two webinars providing an overview of these opportunities and the application process. Register online: 


* Growing Green Lending: MI Healthy Climate Challenge [ [link removed] ], 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5.   

* Office Hours: MI Healthy Climate Challenge: Growing Green Lending [ [link removed] ], 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24.

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