The greening of Catawba Co. - Charlotte Business Journal:

batyushkinuxit.blogspot.com
“It’s smart to develop a new economy bases onrenewable energy,” he says. Millard recently spoke with the Charlotte Business Journal aboutthoss goals. Edited excerpts of that conversation You have added a goal ofrecruiting renewable-energhy companies. What are the initial steps in attaining that goal We need to determine the appropriatw opportunities withinthat sector. For example, our expertise in optical-fibefr manufacturing may give us skill sets or process advantagew that may help us to be more competitiv e inthe silica/photovoltaic manufacturing markets.
We need to determin e where we can be the most competitive and leave the rest for Are there any incentives available specific togreebn industries? There are several. Possiblu more importantly are the opportunitiese provided by programs such asNorth Carolina’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards (which call for power providerz to get 12.5% of their energy from renewable sourcesw by 2025) and examples such as Duke Energy’s solar program. These are clear signals the market is openint upfor renewables. I think we’ll be developin other local and state incentivesx as we learn more about theopportunities we’r seeking and the best way to attrac them.
Why in Catawba County We’re constantly scanning the horizon for new opportunities to creatre investmentand jobs. If we develop targeted encourage our existing supplier base to look for opportunities withinthat market, trainj our manufacturing-oriented work force within that sector and sell effectivelyh to the sector, we can further diversifyt our economy and fulfill the needs of thoss manufacturers. We can do something to help our grandchildren at the same Could this eventually replace the companies that have closeds or downsizedin furniture, textiles and fiber-optics? We’re trying to develop opportunities for all of our companiexs to stay competitive.
Diversified Composites, a Hickorty company, is supplying composite support membersfor wind-turbiner blades being sold around the world. We want to providwe opportunities for existing companies to develop products in new ways for new PPG in Shelby has become a new companyu again in recent months because of thissame