Economic Development

Minnesota has abundant opportunities for conservation & efficiency, and clean, renewable energy. You and members of your community can plan well and work collaboratively toward implementing clean energy projects that will stimulate local economic development, create jobs, advance investment in the clean energy economy, and with the proper outreach garner community-wide support for global warming solutions.

Minnesota Sustainable Communities (MnSCN) Newsletter
Keep up to date on issues important to economic development, including: Biomass-based Local Economies; MN Green & Affordable Communities by Design; Annual MPCA Environmental Assistance Grants; Wisconsin Universities to Become Energy Self-Sufficient; Minneapolis Energy Proposals & Non-Toxic Cleaners; Change a Light Campaign & Award Programs.

Job Jolt: The Economic Impacts of Repowering the Midwest – Environmental Law & Policy Center
This Clean Energy Development Plan for the Heartland is an economic study done by the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory for the Environmental Law & Policy Center on the impacts of phasing in more clean, energy-efficient technologies and renewable-energy development across the Midwest and Great Plains.
Also read: Repowering Minnesota.

Renewing Minnesota’s Economy – Union of Concerned Scientists
The subtitle of this report explains it all: “A 10 Percent National Renewable Electricity Standard will Create Jobs and Save Consumers Money.”

Minnesota’s Commercial Alternative Energy Industries: Production, policies, and local economics – Center for Rural Policy and Development
A confluence of economic and political forces is leading to renewed attention to the potential for Minnesota to increase its share of homegrown energy. Alternative energy industries, the argument goes, should receive public support because they generate a pattern of spending and outputs that are in some sense better than the patterns of traditional energy industries. Read the report to find out if this is true, what the potential is, and what this could mean for MN.

Apollo Jobs Report: New Energy for America – Apollo Alliance
This report and an Apollo Alliance initiative unite Good Jobs and Energy Independence. Definitely worth the read.

Wind Energy for Rural Economic Development – US DOE EERE
Life on the farm can be tough these days, but there is a bright spot on the rural economic development horizon: wind energy. The wind industry contributes to the economies of 46 states, and the outlook for regional economic growth from wind energy is positive. Read the brochure to learn more.

Economic Development - Growing Green