Evolve Energy Partnerships Launches Economic Development Vision for WNC

Evolve Energy Partnerships Launches Economic Development Vision for WNC

Written by brightadmin on . Posted in EV Market Development

Asheville Public Works Ribbon Cutting- Scott Hamilton

AdvantageWest CEO Scott Hamilton addresses the crowd at the Asheville City Public Works Brightfield™ ribbon cutting ceremony.

Evolve Energy Partnerships is a new venture in western North Carolina that seeks to deliver the innovation, finance, policy and workforce tools needed to support the expansion of existing clean energy businesses and the formation of new ventures. Through partnership, they are building on the region’s unique assets to develop a clean energy cluster with lasting regional and global significance. The decision to launch Evolve Energy Partnerships—an initiative led by BioWheels RTS partners Land of Sky and Advantage West—comes from the results of a comprehensive economic analysis conducted by Angelou Economics.  The 200 page report consists of many findings pointing towards the viability of a thriving regional clean energy cluster including the following:
Employment and establishment growth patterns confirm findings in interviews and focus groups of likely locations for emerging clean energy clusters. Growth in employment and number of establishments in industries relating to clean energy within Western North Carolina has outpaced industry growth in the U.S. as a whole by 4.3% and 1.3% respectively. Despite the harsh recessionary conditions affecting North Carolina and the United States as a whole, the WNC region saw growth in industries that relate to or may support clean energy.
In addition, clean energy sector growth in western NC between 2005-2009 was 15.8% compared to 14.5% nationally.  Perhaps most immediately relevant to the region, job growth in the clean energy related sector was 4.9% compared to 7.9% net regional job loss over the same years. Brightfield TS is proud to be an Evolve Energy Partnerships partner and a member of the Clean Tech Executive Committee.  We look forward to working together to realize the goal of a vibrant clean energy economy in Western NC.

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