(STURGIS) – The City of Sturgis is in the running for a grant to help with a project at the hydroelectric dam north of Centreville.

Wednesday night the Sturgis City Commission was presented with an update and a proposal regarding the Department of Energy 247 Hydroelectricity Incentives Grant. In October 2023, the Sturgis Electric Department, through Powers Systems Engineering, applied for the grant.

Sturgis City Manager Andrew Kuk explains what the money would be used for if Sturgis is approved for the grant. LINKC.

The proposed repairs at the Sturgis Dam would address ongoing seepage at the toe of the slope at the main earthen embankment, along with addressing stability issues with the downstream slope of the earthen embankment via flattening of the embankment slope.

In addition to the seepage and slope stability issues, several other project components have been identified and will be combined with the main earthen embankment repair.

The total amount requested by Sturgis is $1.35 million. The total cost for the project is estimated at $4.5 million.

The Commission approved moving forward with the grant process. Kuk says the City will now be giving more data to the Grid Deployment Office and are recommended for negotiation for an incentive award.