Thirty-two wind turbines went into operation in Michigan in 2008, bringing the state total to 35. Two more wind farms are currently being constructed.

So Rockford can harness some of that natural power and ... well, not so fast.

"We don't usually recommend it in Rockford," said Mark Bauer, owner of Bauer Power in Wayland. The company specializes in the installation of solar and wind energy systems. "The month to month wind speed is too low."

Bauer's company is partnering with Cascade Engineering to act as dealer and installer for the Swift wind turbine, a small unit that can be directly attached to a business or home to harness wind energy.

Bauer said the system is within "a week or two" of being released to the public and retail cost will be around $10,000 installed.

"Wind energy is only good by the lakeshore, in the thumb area, Jackson and parts of Cedar Springs. It's a very site-specific thing," he said.

Betty Blase, director of the Kent County/Michigan State University Extension, hasn't heard of wind energy developments in the Rockford area, either, although she said there currently is a "huge" controversy in the Fruit Ridge area in Alpine and Sparta Townships regarding farmers leasing land to wind energy companies interested in developing wind farms.

"I do think people are looking for alternatives because that looks like the best choice right now," said Blase, referring to the increasing cost of energy. "People aren't just going to pay more and more.

"Maybe that's the upside to this: It really does drive innovation.