More than 550,000 Ohio workers could see growth in "green collar" industries

Ohio is one of the states that has the potential to recharge its economy with "green collar" jobs in the advanced energy industry, a new report finds. The main reason: the state's skilled labor force, which is adaptable to green manufacturing jobs. More than 550,000 workers in Ohio could see new job opportunities and pay hikes from the growth of environmentally friendly industries. Those findings come from a report released by the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts, which examined 12 states and their capacity to work in the green industries of building retrofitting, mass transit, fuel efficient cars, wind power, solar power and biomass fuels. One example in Cincinnati is Blue Chip Solar and Wind, a division of the more traditional Leitner Electric Co. Blue Chip designs, sells, monitors and maintains photovoltaic systems and wind turbines for homes, businesses, large institutions and cities. "Once known for its abundance of blue collar workers, Ohio is now transforming its economy to meet the advanced energy needs of the 21st century," says Ed Burghard, executive director of the Ohio Business Development Coalition.

Writer: David Holthaus
Source: Ohio Business Development Coalition