White Mountain Economic Development Wins MAKE IT Phase 2 Grant to Advance Clean Energy Manufacturing

White Mountain Economic Development (WMED) is proud to announce that it was recently awarded a prestigious Phase 2 grant under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Manufacture of Advanced Key Energy Infrastructure Technologies (MAKE IT) Prize. This $100,000 award recognizes the organization’s commitment to fostering clean energy manufacturing and economic growth in the Northern Arizona region.

The MAKE IT Prize is designed to accelerate domestic manufacturing of key clean energy technologies, ensuring that communities across the country benefit from the transition to a sustainable energy future. 

White Mountain Economic Development was recently awarded a prestigious Phase 2 grant under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Manufacture of Advanced Key Energy Infrastructure Technologies (MAKE IT) Prize. Photo courtesy of American-Made Challenges.

As part of Phase 2, White Mountain Economic Development is developing a comprehensive concept roadmap to attract clean energy manufacturers, create sustainable, high-paying jobs, and position Northern Arizona as a leader in clean energy manufacturing. This initiative directly addresses the economic impacts of coal plant closures in the region and aims to provide new opportunities for local communities.

This roadmap focuses on four key areas:

• Company Recruitment: Statewide and national outreach to clean energy manufacturers.

• Site & Infrastructure Development: Preparing sites in Opportunity Zones for investment.

• Workforce Development: Collaborating with Northland Pioneer College to train a skilled workforce.

• State Incentives: Leveraging tax credits and grant support to attract industry partners.

“This grant is a significant step forward in our mission to drive economic development through sustainable industries,” said Russ Yelton, Executive Director of White Mountain Economic Development. “With this funding, we will refine our strategy, collaborate with key partners, and position the region as a leader in clean energy manufacturing.”

WMED has already targeted three innovative companies for possible relocation and/or expansion of their manufacturing to Northern Arizona: 

Higher Wire: Specializes in developing sustainable lithium ion batteries and has established a patent-pending process for repurposing old batteries into new applications.

WoodSyn: Focuses on producing sustainable wood-based composites, offering eco-friendly alternatives to traditional building materials.

Carbon Utility: Provides carbon offset solutions, assisting businesses in achieving their sustainability goals through innovative environmental projects.

WMED previously secured a Phase 1 grant, which provided $50,000 toward establishing a project team, creating a pathway for the development of strategic plans, and beginning to earn buy-in from key stakeholders and invested communities.

As part of Phase 1, WMED and several partners held regional symposiums to highlight the clean energy innovation espoused by these companies, as well as Arizona State University and the development of its direct air capture (DAC) hub to help remove CO2 from the atmosphere—an exciting renewable innovation that is expected to generate hundreds of jobs. The symposiums also helped bring together key decision makers, economic development partners, and local town and business leaders.

WMED further partnered with Real AZ, a top economic development agency for Northern Arizona, to align regional resources with the needs of the three companies. In addition, they collaborated with Arizona@Work to hold job fairs in the region to highlight the robust workforce available to companies looking to grow in the area and connect eager job seekers with exciting career opportunities.

Winning this grant advances WMED to Phase 3: "Activate," where they will work to finalize their roadmap and secure commitments from manufacturers ready to invest in the region. This milestone marks an important achievement in their ongoing efforts to create jobs, attract investment, and build a cleaner, more resilient economic future.

Stay connected with White Mountain Economic Development at wmedev.org for updates as they continue to shape the future of clean energy manufacturing in the region.