Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm is making $20 million in federal stimulus funds available to Michigan manufacturers who want to diversify, retool, and create jobs in clean energy.

Granholm announced the Recovery Act funding Wednesday at the Michigan Wind Energy Conference in Detroit.

The governor said that Michigan companies can compete for $15 million in grants and $5 million in loans through the Clean Energy Advanced Manufacturing initiative funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth, which plans to formally ask for proposals on Friday, said that any small- or medium-size business can apply. Companies working on renewable energy systems and components have until May 7 to apply. Those working on energy efficiency manufacturing can have until May 21.

This is the second round of funding for the program. In December, five Michigan companies were awarded shares of $15 million in the first round of Recovery Act-funded clean energy grants. Those companies were:

Astraeus Wind Energy: $7 million for the Eaton Rapids, MI, company to manufacture advanced-composite wind turbine blades and hub-related components.

$7 million for the Eaton Rapids, MI, company to manufacture advanced-composite wind turbine blades and hub-related components. Energetx Composites: $3.5 million for the Holland, MI, company to manufacture advanced-composite wind turbine blades.

$3.5 million for the Holland, MI, company to manufacture advanced-composite wind turbine blades. Loc Performance Products: $1.5 million for the Plymouth, MI, company to manufacture planetary gears and gearboxes for utility-scale wind turbines.

$1.5 million for the Plymouth, MI, company to manufacture planetary gears and gearboxes for utility-scale wind turbines. LUMA Resources: $500,000 for the Rochester Hills, MI, company to make products for the residential solar energy market.

$500,000 for the Rochester Hills, MI, company to make products for the residential solar energy market. Merrill Technologies Group: $3 million for the Saginaw, MI, company to manufacture advanced-composit wind turbine blades and components.

“The companies initially funded under this program have put their Recovery Act funds to good use, leveraging private sector dollars and aggressively moving into high-growth renewable energy industries,” Granholm said in a prepared statement.

Companies interested in applying can visit Michigan’s Bureau of Energy Systems’ website or call 517-241-6228.

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