WIndiana 8/4
Guest blogger Kelley Lefever
Across the state the increase in solar, wind, biomass and alternative fuel initiatives gives testimony to the concept that Indiana is moving forward to a more green economy and increased job growth. In it’s 4th year, WIndiana 2011 and the Indiana Renewable Energy Conference set the tone for a promising future for Hoosiers. Here are some of the highlights as they relate to economic development:
Indiana has been leading the way on increasing renewable energy resources in the United States. Between 2009 and 2010 Indiana increased its installed wind capacity ten-fold to become one of the fastest growing states for wind power. To date there are over 800 turbines in operation within 6 large-scale projects with an additional 2,200 turbines projected with in the next few years. The economic impacts are impressive at approx. 1500 new jobs (2010), $21 million in property taxes to counties and approx. $4 million in payments to land owners.
A new Brookings Institute report ranks Indiana's green economy 19th among the 50 states including Washington D.C. with 53,684 "clean jobs”. Indiana has already attracted major investments from the wind sector. Brevini, a major gearbox manufacturer, is constructing its first American facility in Muncie, Indiana. The company is investing over $60 million in the state and will employ over 450 workers. In addition, many smaller Indiana companies have found a role in the wind energy supply chain, creating new “green-collar” jobs for Indiana workers. At least 14 Indiana facilities currently manufacture components for the wind energy industry and 4 new facilities are in the works.
Indiana’s economy is also supported by other sources of renewable energy like solar power. Home-grown companies like NuSun Solar in Columbus and Inovatus of South Bend are two of the fastest growing Midwest companies and are contributing to the recent increase in “green-collar” jobs. NuSun recently invested $8.9 million to purchase, improve and equip a facility in Columbus and currently employs 80 individuals and anticipates adding an additional 240 by 2013. Those are numbers we can get our arms around.
Equally impressive are the environmental impacts and financial savings in industrial and agricultural applications. Using solar power to heat water for dairy farms can save an average dairy farm thousands per month on heating bills. Business owners installing radiant heat and solar panels on industrial buildings can expect returns in as little as two years. Both of these advances in renewable resources are in industries Whitley County and Indiana know a lot about and will see returns from in the near future.
These examples point to the economic and environmental impacts of alternative energy development and suggest a promising future for our industries and communities. More than anything, the conference introduced the diversity of opportunities that exist in alternative energy solutions. The Whitley County EDC is ready to support entrepreneurs and businesses pursuing opportunities for advanced manufacturing and other opportunities in alternative energy. As the crossroads of America, our state is well-positioned to continue to participate in the development of alternative energy economy.
Keep moving forward,
Kelley Lefever
Marketing Project Manager