Energetx Composites in Holland  receives $3.5 million ARRA grant
Pete Daly

HOLLAND — Energetx Composites, LLC of Holland, a one-year-old division of S2 Yachts Inc., is one of five small manufacturing firms in Michigan that were awarded state grants funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help them diversify into advanced manufacturing of renewable-energy systems and components.

Energetx, which manufactures composite blades for large, commercial-size wind turbines, received $3.5 million, according to an announcement today by state officials.

Any Michigan business with 500 or less employees was eligible to apply for the clean energy advanced manufacturing grants. Almost 80 companies submitted applications; a total of $15.5 million was granted. The money, which came through the State Energy Program, will help support the creation or retention of 713 jobs, according to state officials.

"We looked for businesses that can produce the next generation of renewable energy systems and the components such as turbines, blades, and solar technology," said Stanley "Skip" Pruss, director of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.

"The projects must be able to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions," added Pruss.

David Slikkers, CEO of S2 and Energetx, told the Business Journal in June that production of large turbine blades was expected to begin late this fall, entailing the creation of at least 100 new jobs by the end of 2010.

Slikkers said then that boat sales were "down considerably" in 2008, "more than what we were expecting," said Slikkers. The diversification into large turbine components will reduce the company's reliance on the ailing boat business.