West Central Region
West Central CERT wants to fundamentally change the way energy is produced and consumed in its region’s communities and across the state
Recent Blog Posts
Abby Finis
Fri, 01/27/2012 - 11:08am
Construction workers from Raymond, Willmar and the surrounding area have benefited from steady work provided through a partnership with the Heartland Community Action Agency. Using money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the agency recruited construction workers for jobs with...
Joel Haskard
Tue, 01/24/2012 - 5:26pm
As we kick off 2012, we are excited to announce the projects awarded CERTs seed grants in each of the seven Minnesota CERTs regions. Each region awarded $10,000 worth of seed grants, catalyzing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects across the state. The funding is provided by the...
Dan Thiede
Mon, 01/23/2012 - 12:58pm
USDA Rural Development is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Funding is available from USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) authorized by the 2008 Farm...
Upcoming West Central Events
West Central Event Highlights
West Central Case Studies
West Central Minnesota has been the hub of much excitement with the beginning of the Youth Energy Summit (YES!) program, which engages teams of youth...
As the clean energy movement sweeps quickly, yet quietly, across Minnesota, communities are discovering new and unique opportunities for renewable...
A new renewable energy project is catching eyes and sparking interest in St. Louis County. Secured on the side of a maintenance garage outside of...
West Central Region on CERTs TV
West Central Region Reports
West Central Highlights
Vision and Focus: West Central CERT’s overarching vision is to use local resources to make both the region and the state energy self-sufficient. Much of the team’s efforts have focused on how to provide better education to the general public on each of their project priorities. This approach has led the team to develop projects that focus on demonstration, applied research and educational initiatives within each focal area. WC CERT is working primarily to implement projects in wind and biomass linked to education; education on hydrogen, geothermal and solar technologies; conservation coordination and demonstration; and biogas coordination of pilot projects coupled with education.
West Central Contact
Jeff Vetsch
SW & WC CERTs Coordinator
Email, 320-212-4405
West Central Map
West Central Community Groups
Use our map of local community organizations to connect with a group in your part of the state! Explore map.
CERTs Supported Projects
CERTs awards mini-grants to community groups for energy efficiency and clean energy projects across Minnesota. We awarded grants in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010. The average amount is $5,000. We have descriptions and maps of all of the projects that we’ve funded. Check them out to see what folks are doing! See projects
Volunteer & Get Involved
Looking to get involved in your community and make connections with others in Minnesota who are passionate about clean energy and energy efficiency? There are lots of different ways to plug in. Learn more
West Central Steering Committee
- John Baumgartner, Baumgartner Environics, Inc. and Board of the West Central Partnership
- Bob Bonawitz, UM West Central Regional Partnership Board & Willmar Utility Commission
- Eric Buchanan, University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center
- Cheryl Glaeser, Southwest Initiative Foundation
- Jennifer Gruis, Swift County RDA
- Dawn Hegland, Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission
- Orville D. Moe, citizen, energy expert
- Troy J. Goodnough, University of Minnesota Morris
- Randy Nelson, Prairie Country RC&D
- Steve Nelson, Environmental Well & Septic
- Duane Ninneman, Clean Up the River Environment
- John Paulson, City of Hutchinson
- Dorothy Rosemeier, UM West Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership
- Sandi Sportelli, Great River Energy
- Dan Tepfer, Kandiyohi Power Cooperative
- Steve Wagner, USDA – Ag Research Service (Advisory Committee Member)
- Mike Reese, UM West Central Research & Outreach Center (Advisory Committee Member)
- Dean Schmidt, WesMin RC&D (Advisory Committee Member)
Stay Connected
Clean Energy Resource Teams