Groveland Twp.- On Oct. 18 Consumers Energy, along with township officials, broke ground on a new service center.
In June, township planning officials and Consumers Energy representatives which included Chris Laser, facilities project manager, and Ursula Warren, area manager, attended the special meeting to discuss plans for a new 21,133 square foot complex near Dixie Highway and Shields Road. The facility, which was OK’d by the board by a 7-0 vote will be located on about 21 acres of property owned by Consumers Energy.
The service complex, which should be completed next summer, will consolidate current facilities in Pontiac and Lapeer. About 40 current employees will be working from the new location.
Consumers Energy selected the township due to the high number of natural gas customers located in the area. The new facility is a LEEDS (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). A LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification the building was designed and built using strategies aimed at achieving high performance in key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
In addition to office space, the building will have space for vehicle repair for Consumers Energy equipment and four electrical charging sites for vehicles. There will entrances off both Dixie Highway and Shields Road.