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Greenbacks for Green:. Current and Potential Government Funding Opportunities for Green Initiatives. Anne Olson Director, Minnesota Workforce Council Association. How are Stimulus Funds Being Used?. Source: www.recovery.gov. ARRA Funding In Minnesota. Source: www.recovery.gov.
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Greenbacks for Green: Current and Potential Government Funding Opportunities for Green Initiatives Anne Olson Director, Minnesota Workforce Council Association
How are Stimulus Funds Being Used? Source: www.recovery.gov
ARRA Funding In Minnesota Source: www.recovery.gov
GREEN JOBS: Obama Administration’s Perspective The economic-recovery packagethat President Obama signed into law contains more than $20 billion for investment in a cleaner, greener economy, including $500 million for green job training. So what exactly are "green jobs"? They provide products and services that use renewable energy resources, reduce pollution, and conserve energy and natural resources. Investing in green jobs also means keeping up with the modern economy. At a time when good jobs at good wages are harder and harder to come by, we must find new, innovative opportunities. According to the Council of Economic Advisers, green jobs pay 10 to 20 percent more than other jobs. They also are more likely to be union jobs. Building a new power grid, manufacturing solar panels, weatherizing homes and office buildings, and renovating schools are just a few of the ways to create high-quality green jobs that strengthen the foundation of this country. More green jobs can also mean more money in consumers' pocketbooks at the end of the month. They can reduce your electric and heating bills, leaving you more disposable income for other things. Source: www.whitehouse.gov
National Reports Several national reports have emerged over the past two years focused on green jobs. This list is by no means definitive. It is a sampling of the best. Living Cities, a collaboration of 21 leading foundations and financial institutions, published an excellent analysis of green jobs in urban areas called Green Cities: How Urban Sustainability Efforts Can and Must Drive America’s Climate Change Policies. The United States Conference of Mayors and the Mayors Climate Protection Center’s Current and Potential Green Jobs in the U.S. Economy takes a deep statistical dive into the potential of the green economy. The Apollo Alliance and Green For All advocates for green jobs and has produced a “blueprint” for cities in Green Collar Jobs in America’s Cities: Building Pathways out of Poverty and Careers in the Clean Energy Economy. Another Apollo Alliance-sponsored report. Greener Pathways: Jobs and Workforce Development in the Clean Energy Economy, looks at the potential for jobs in energy efficiency, wind, and biofuels. National Council for Workforce Education and the Academy for Educational Development has focused on community colleges and their role in helping create a green workforce in Going Green: The Vital Role of Community Colleges in Building A Sustainable Future and Green Workforce. Many Minnesota schools have green programs that are listed in our Green Your Education section. Source: www.deed.state.mn.us
Green Job Resources ~ Minnesota-based Reports The state employed a consulting group to take a good, long look at Minnesota’s potential for green jobs. Here is the result: The Green Jobs Task Force . The Mayor’s Initiative on Green Manufacturing produced the lengthy Green Cities Green Jobs report in 2008 that explored the potential for manufacturing and product opportunities in the metropolitan area. The Center For Rural Policy and Development offers a study of the alternative energy potential of Greater Minnesota in Minnesota's Commercial Alternative Energy Industries: Production, Policies and Local Economies (Dec. 2005). Source: www.deed.state.mn.us
