Monthly Archives: January 2023

(January 19, 2023 2:14 PM) Consumers Energy today announced it will provide $25 million to homes and businesses,  in what the company says is a meaningful effort to help customers who are facing challenges with their energy bills. The contribution, approved today by the Michigan Public Service Commission, is being delivered through $15 million in automatic bill credits to all Consumers Energy electric customers and another $10 million in assistance for financially vulnerable households. In all, Consumers Energy says it has provided over $37 million in help for energy bills and basic needs since the start of last year. “Consumers Energy cares about Michigan and our customers, and we consider it our mission to look out for the households and businesses that count on us every day,” said Garrick Rochow, Consumers Energy’s president and CEO. “We are putting dollars directly in the hands of our customers, particularly for those who need help staying warm and safe in their homes this winter.” Consumers Energy is making this new promise as many Michiganders cope with the effects of last year’s inflation and increases in energy costs. In December, Consumers Energy provided another $7.25 million to nonprofits to help customers in need. And…

Parking lot 9-A.  Photo courtesy City of Jackson. (January 19, 2023 10:45 AM) The City of Jackson has announced the creation of a dedicated parking lot for downtown business employees.  The new lot will allow employees of downtown businesses to park for free during the day.    Downtown Jackson has added dozens of new businesses and apartments in recent years. More people coming to the downtown area has created new parking demands, especially for employees who drive downtown daily to work in restaurants and retail establishments. Wanting to alleviate parking concerns, the City’s Engineering Division took a section of Parking Lot 9 and made it dedicated downtown employee parking. Renamed Parking Lot 9A, the 35-vehicle lot at the corner of S. MLK Drive and E. Cortland Street is set aside for downtown employees to park for free from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The lot was recently resurfaced, with additional lighting and signage added to the employee parking area. City Manager Jonathan Greene says it’s important for the City to be mindful of downtown workers. “Businesses are tightly packed in Downtown Jackson, meaning many of them do not have space for employee parking,” Greene said. “Providing this…