February 22, 2007

Stebbins Enterprises, Inc. has received a $359,480 state pollution prevention loan from the Department of Environmental Quality to purchase environmentally preferred equipment and make associated building upgrades at their business, Grand Blanc Printing. With this assistance, the company will install a computer-to-plate imaging system that replaces its conventional printing equipment and will completely eliminate their use of film, proofing material, and film developing chemicals in the pre-press department.

"The Small Business Pollution Prevention Loan Program continues to assist companies like Stebbins Enterprises to make positive investments that promote a healthy environment and a healthy economy in Michigan," said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester.

The DEQ and the company's local lending institution, Citizens Bank, each contributed half of the loan proceeds.

"This loan is helping us to replace equipment that is outdated and costly to operate," said Matt Stebbins, secretary of Stebbins Enterprises, Inc. "We first heard about the low-interest loan program through Printing Industries of Michigan and were excited to learn soon after, that our much needed project was a fit with the program."

Businesses with fewer than 500 employees can apply for loans of up to $400,000 with a guaranteed interest rate of not more than 5 percent. The short application helps businesses describe how their projects will eliminate or reduce waste through source reduction, environmentally sound reuse, and/or recycling, including water and energy conservation projects.

Loans are available to all private business sectors including farming, manufacturing, retail, and service. For more information, contact the DEQ's Environmental Assistance Center at 800-662-9278, or by e-mail at deq-ead-env-assist@michigan.gov.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised February 22, 2007 by Pat Watson