Johnson System Inc. (JSI) has recently installed a vertical axis wind turbine. Manufactured and installed by ArborWind in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this 50kw turbine will help the company in its environmental and energy conservation efforts. The goal of JSI and Arborwind is to produce electricity for 9 to 12 cents a KW/HR.

JSI, a leading manufacturer of agricultural products, received a $112,928 Community Development Block Grant to install the turbine. Howard and Kathleen Johnson founded the company and saw the construction and installation of the turbine as a chance to do something new.

“It’s not like the wind turbines you’ve seen before,” said Howard Johnson. “We were looking to get into green energy.”

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JSI plans to add at least two more turbines in the future. The turbines are expected to create 15 jobs and generate $279,000 in private investment.

“Our efforts to diversify Michigan’s economy are working,” Gov. Jennifer Granholm said in the announcement. “We look forward to continuing to partner with innovative companies like Johnson System Inc. who are taking advantage of new opportunities and creating new jobs.”

The city stepped in to help JSI by providing for 12,548 to help support the expansion of the company. “We are very excited to have a role in Johnson System Inc. expanding into the renewable energy market through the manufacturing of towers that support wind turbines,” Mike Hindenach, manager of Marshall Economic Development, said in a prepared statement.