PORTLAND RECREATION

LABOR DAY BRIDGE WALK

 

The Recreation Department will be offering the 5th Annual Labor Day Bridge Walk on Monday, September 6th. The Walk will start in the City Hall parking lot with registration starting at 7:30 A.M. and the walk starting at 8:00 A.M. The walk will be a little over 4 miles long, will cross 6 bridges in the Community, and will end at the City Hall parking lot. For more information call Mary at 647-7985.

 

Energy Smart

Energy Efficiency Programs

 

The City of Portland has not yet received information on all of the residential Energy Smart energy efficiency programs for 2010. Currently the refrigerator and freezer recycling is being offered.  An incentive of $30 is available for the pickup and recycling of your old refrigerator or freezer. Chances are you are spending between $100 and $150 a year to keep that old fridge in your garage or basement running. The unit must be in working order and between 10 and 30 cubic feet. Call 877-270-3519 or go to http://www.franklinenergy.com/portland.html to schedule a pickup. Quantities are limited and both of these programs are on a first-come, first-served basis.   

 

The City also has Energy Smart Programs that provide energy efficiency incentives for businesses. Businesses that purchase and install qualifying equipment can receive an energy efficiency incentive.  Businesses must receive written approval before project installation to be eligible for the incentive.   For more information and an application please go to http://www.franklinenergy.com/portland.html.

 

 

All of these incentives offered are for City of Portland electric customers only. 

 

CITY INCOME TAX AND STREETS

The City of Portland is one of 22 Michigan Cities that has an Income Tax. In Portland these funds are used for paving, curb and gutter, sidewalks, street lights, and related water and sewer infrastructure improvements.

For more information on the City Income Tax click here.

For more information on street improvements funded with income tax money in the City of Portland and results from the PASER study done on City street conditions please click here.

For answers to frequently asked questions such as how income tax funds are used and other miscellaneous income tax facts click here.

 

 

 

Receive the City Newsletter via Email

If you are interested in staying up to date on recent City activities and recreational opportunities being offered please click here and send us an email to be added to the mailing list.

 

 

Photo of family in front of neighborhood housesMSHDA Offers Low-Cost Loans for Home Alternative Energy Improvements

Qualified residents can increase energy efficiency and lower utility bills

       Income eligible Michigan homeowners may now borrow up to $50,000 from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Property Improvement Program (PIP) to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes. The program has added alternative energy improvements such as geothermal furnaces, solar water heating systems and windmills to a long list of traditional improvements including insulation, upgraded windows, indoor fireplaces, permanently installed radiators, solar rooms permanently installed for use as a sunroom or family room and energy-efficient appliances.

      Income eligible homeowners may have household incomes of up to $65,000 and can borrow up to $25,000 with no equity and up to $50,000 with equity.  Landlords with eligible rent limits can borrow up to $100,000 or $25,000 per rental unit. Interest rates are reasonable at 4 percent, 6 percent, or 8 percent depending on income, not the market. Loans can be amortized up to 20 years to make payments affordable.

      For more information about PIP, visit the MSHDA Web site at www.michigan.gov/mshda and click on Home Improvement, or call 517-373-8017. The toll-free number for the hearing impaired is 800-382-4568.