EOPA and officials highlight how Benton Harbor’s clean energy and environmental initiatives will bring energy security, environmental justice and prosperity

Federal, state and local grants help Benton Harbor on the road to energy and environmental security, despite EPA holding back grant

Benton Harbor—Elected Officials to Protect America (E.O.P.A.) and the Climate Action Campaign (CAC) were in Benton Harbor at the Bobo Brazil Community Center today to highlight what the city and partners are doing with climate-smart policies to improve the quality of life for residents, and how important continued funding for clean energy and environmental protection with clean-up projects and resilience initiatives are for the community and surrounding areas. 

Speakers talked about the projects they are directly involved in and how important they are to the future of Benton Harbor, and surrounding areas, 

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“There has never been a more urgent time for climate action. Benton Harbor’s initiatives with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Community Change Grant, and other projects like Ox Creek show a pathway to transition away from fossil fuels to become energy secure against fossil fuel price volatility and extreme weather. All these initiatives will help grow the local economy, bring environmental justice, and protect residents and Benton Harbor’s future,” said Christian Brock, Elected Officials to Protect America (E.O.P.A.) Senior Advisor, Air Force Veteran. “We at Elected Officials to Protect America are humbled and honored to be here to celebrate these projects. The city, and community partners are showing how tremendous progress can be made when everyone pulls in the right direction to bring environmental justice and prosperity for all. We are looking forward to returning to see the transformation of the Bobo Brazil Center, Ox Creek, and the area.”

Benton Harbor received an Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) grant from the EPA for $20 million. Among the $16.3 million the city is receiving, $2.5 million will be used to renovate the Bobo Brazil community center, with most of the rest of the grant being used to turn the center into a pilot microgrid alternative energy project.

“Benton Harbor’s clean energy and environmental initiatives have set the city on the path of true energy security, and environmental justice while improving the community’s quality of life. I’m so proud of the work our city and partners have done to receive the Inflation Reduction Act, EPA grant funding, said Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad. "With these clean energy projects residents will finally have a safe welcoming community center to meet and enjoy, along with a healthy park and river to recreate in. The needed $20 million in investment funding for these critical projects across our region will also help protect the community from the ravages of the climate crisis. We're deeply grateful for the EPA understanding our needs and taking action.” 

The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission applied for the grant on behalf of the city of Benton Harbor and two nonprofits.

“The EPA Community Change Grant is a game-changer for Benton Harbor. This investment empowers our community to address long-standing environmental and health challenges, while providing on-the-job training, cleaner air and water, lower energy bills for the city and residents and more resilient neighborhoods,” said Marcy Hamilton, Southwest Michigan Planning Commission Senior Planner/Deputy Executive Director. “This grant is a transformational opportunity to see significant change and improvement in Benton Harbor.”

The City of Benton Harbor is looking forward with enthusiasm and dedication to make their projects a reality for all.

“Benton Harbor is an example of what it looks like when federal, state and local leaders come together to deliver real results. And now more than ever as leaders, we must keep our heads down, navigate the chaos in Washington and work together for Michigan, said U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin in a statement. “This isn’t just about clean energy — it’s about creating opportunity and jobs and breathing new life into places that have been ignored for too long. From Ox Creek to the Bobo Brazil Center, folks here are getting it done. I’ll keep pushing in D.C. to make sure Benton Harbor and communities like it keep getting the investment they need to thrive.”

Additionally, Benton Harbor with surrounding areas developed the community-driven Ox Creek Corridor Restoration and Revitalization project. Ox Creek is a focal point for environmental restoration and community revitalization in the Benton Harbor area. 

As part of the project, a contaminated former Modern Plastic’s industrial site is finally being demolished and cleaned up after decades of allowing pollutants to seep into the watershed, flowing downstream into the Paw Paw and St. Joseph rivers before emptying into Lake Michigan. It’s one of the most urbanized portions of the St. Joseph River Watershed, but has suffered from excessive dumping of trash, nonpoint source pollution, and other contamination.

"The Ox Creek project marks another step forward in improving environmental safety and protecting public health for communities across the state,” said Phil Roos, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) Director. “We are proud to collaborate with the State Land Bank, local government and nonprofit partners to not only mitigate decades of contamination but also restore this space for future job creation and public benefit.”

The Michigan State Land Bank Authority (SLBA) has committed up to $2.6 million in Blight Elimination Program funding through the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to support demolition and cleanup at the site, transforming the property into a catalyst for redevelopment and economic opportunity. EGLE continues to provide environmental oversight of Ox Creek’s revitalization and will work with all stakeholders to evaluate cleanup options for the property once the blighted structure is safely removed.

The Ox Creek Project was started by Benton Harbor City Manager Alex Little who said, "We are rebuilding a community based on what we need for residents to improve our lives and livelihoods. It's a ground up initiative communities are invested in. Everyone deserves clean water, air and land to live and thrive."

Since 2022, more than $11.4 million in grant funding has been secured to advance the city’s vision for a vibrant, healthy Ox Creek corridor with biking/walking trails and bridges, commercial development, housing opportunities, and more.

All these environmental climate actions are key to Benton Harbor’s ongoing renaissance.

However, Benton Harbor was one of more than 400 grants nationwide that were canceled in the fourth round of cuts by the EPA, with the assistance of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

No matter what happens, officials today said their plans will continue.On July 9, 2025, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a coalition of 19 other attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for unlawfully terminating the Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program.

U.S. Senators Slotkin and Peters, and Congresswoman Haley Stevens voted for these grants as part of the Inflation Reduction Act that became law. They could not attend because of work at the Capitol.

““I’m glad so many amazing leaders are speaking up today, like Mayor Muhammad, State Representative Andrews, and Christian Brock from Elected Officials to Protect America. While I wish I could be there with you today, know that I stand with you, and I’m standing with you in Washington, D.C,” said Congresswoman Haley Stevens in a statement. “This $20 million grant will be such a boon to the Benton Harbor community–fighting plastics in the water, investing in clean energy projects, and environmental clean-up projects, and revitalizing the city. These are smart and serious initiatives done at the local level to improve the lives of the wonderful Michiganders living in Benton Harbor.

“Unfortunately, as we have seen time and time again from this administration, these grants have recklessly and unlawfully been canceled. President Trump, Elon Musk, and their wealthy allies have once again decided to play political games with people’s lives, combat water pollutants, and tackle the climate crisis. I’m continuing to use my voice and my vote in Congress to fight back against these chaotic and harmful cuts, and work to reinstate the grant for Benton Harbor.”

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) represents the federal government’s biggest climate investments in history and has created 900 new factories across America, representing 400,000 jobs. Because of these investments in manufacturing structures rose in one year by a staggering 54 percent. By the end of 2024, 60 gigawatts of electric capacity to the grid had been developed by manufacturers in the U.S.A.

Elected Officials to Protect America is a network of current and former elected officials who care deeply about protecting the planet and people. EOPA is committed to helping solve the climate crisis, ensuring environmental justice, and protecting our lands, waters, and democracy. EOPA educates through value-based storytelling, trains lawmakers, and connects elected officials to inspire strong environmental leadership.