Gov. Whitmer Celebrates Woodchuck’s AI Powered Biomass Facility in Grand Rapids, Building on State’s Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing and Clean Energy

New facility showcases Michigan’s leadership in clean energy and circular economy innovation

Woodchuck, an AI-powered climate tech company focused on transforming wood waste into renewable energy, officially opened its flagship biomass processing facility today in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined local and state officials, clean energy advocates, and Grand Rapids business leaders in celebrating the launch of the nation’s first AI-driven wood waste-to-energy facility of its kind.

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Governor Gretchen Whitmer cues the ceremonial “first grind” at the grand opening of the Woodchuck Biomass Processing and AI Innovation Facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan—marking a major step forward in clean energy innovation and sustainable wood waste recovery.

The new facility represents a breakthrough in sustainable energy production—combining advanced machine learning with localized waste diversion to turn construction and demolition wood waste into high-quality biomass for energy producers. In partnership with NorthStar Clean Energy, a CMS Energy Company, Alloy Partners, Beckett Industries, and The Right Place, Woodchuck is establishing a model that bridges environmental responsibility with economic opportunity.

“Woodchuck’s new facility in Grand Rapids will create good-paying, high-skill jobs and build on Michigan’s leadership in AI, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “By turning waste into a productive resource, Woodchuck is helping us protect our precious natural resources and build a more cutting-edge, sustainable economy. Let’s keep working together to secure more projects just like Woodchuck in Michigan so we can lead the future and grow our economy.”

At full capacity, the facility will divert tens of thousands of tons of wood waste from landfills each year—converting it into renewable biomass to power local industries, support utility decarbonization, and reduce methane emissions from decomposing wood. By using AI to sort, identify, and process usable materials, Woodchuck drastically increases efficiency and transparency in a sector long plagued by fragmentation and contamination challenges.

“Construction and demolition sites produce an enormous amount of recoverable wood, yet the majority of it still ends up in landfills,” said Todd Thomas, CEO of Woodchuck. “This facility changes that. Woodchuck transforms waste into value, reducing costs, reducing landfill usage, and unleashing an abundant energy future!”

In addition to servicing the construction industry, Woodchuck’s capabilities are already proving critical in emergency response and environmental recovery. Following the devastating ice storms that swept through northern Michigan earlier this month, Woodchuck has partnered with several counties to rapidly process fallen trees and wood debris—turning what would have been landfill waste or burn piles into clean biomass energy. The effort is helping communities recover faster, while reinforcing the value of localized circular economy solutions in the face of climate-driven weather events.

In addition to elected officials, the grand opening was attended by leaders from the energy, manufacturing, and sustainability sectors, highlighting growing national interest in waste-to-energy solutions that close the loop between construction, recycling, and clean power.

About Woodchuck

Woodchuck is an AI-powered climate tech company turning construction wood waste into clean, renewable energy. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Woodchuck uses machine learning to identify and reclaim usable wood waste at scale, helping contractors, manufacturers, and energy producers reduce costs, cut emissions, and contribute to a circular economy. Learn more at www.woodchuck.ai.

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“Woodchuck’s new facility in Grand Rapids will create good-paying, high-skill jobs and build on Michigan’s leadership in AI, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer.