SEBEKA, MN — President-elect Barack Obama and Congress are busy developing a plan to lead the nation into sustainable economic recovery with newly created green jobs, infrastructure projects, and greater energy independence. US Senator Amy Klobuchar serves on a number of committees involved with this plan, and is helping lay the groundwork by gathering ideas from Minnesota business leaders, economic development agencies, elected officials and workers with a focus on renewable energy projects. West Central Telephone Association (WCTA) entered the residential renewable energy arena earlier this year with their newest service—Zenergy–and was very pleased to be included in Klobuchar’s Main Street Tour.
“As an environmentally conscious company rooted in bringing cutting edge technology and economic development to the communities we serve, West Central strongly supports the green jobs initiative,” said Tony Mayer, CEO of WCTA. “West Central is honored to have shared our story with Senator Klobuchar and trust that her support will resonate not only through Minnesota, but across the nation as well.”
Klobuchar wanted to see for herself what WCTA has accomplished on the renewable energy forefront. During the 45 minute visit at WCTA headquarters on December 3, WCTA staff and board members shared the story of how the company became involved in renewable energy, and the opportunities they’ve discovered it can bring to the region. “In our first pilot project alone we identified over twenty business opportunities for our area, from manufacturing to services and administration,” said Mayer. The group also shared their observations on which renewable energy government programs are working well, and which could use some redesigning.
Klobuchar’s stop in Sebeka was part of a 5-day, 17 county excursion called the “Main Street Job Tour”, focused on visiting with companies that support infrastructure and renewable energies. “We all know the economy is in deep trouble,” said Klobuchar.
“I want to go back to Washington and advocate for this recovery plan based on what we’re already doing in Minnesota and what more needs to be done.” She added: “Obama’s economic recovery plan should be especially good for Minnesota, with his focus on infrastructure and renewable energy. I’m impressed with the work West Central has done, and with their goals to bring green jobs to their communities.” The Senator told Mayer that she would like for him to come to Washington, D.C. to address a congressional committee on the innovative work being done by WCTA in renewable energy.
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has also launched a Green Jobs Initiative, which includes several incentives for businesses that make strides to improve their ‘green’ status. From small business tax credits, to Green JOBZ zoning guidelines, the Governor’s vision for a greener, cleaner Minnesota has an expectation of green jobs to account for nearly 10% of all newly created jobs over the next 30 years. WCTA’s Mayer was recently invited to speak about WCTA’s renewable energy projects at a Minnesota Green Jobs Task Force meeting in Morris, MN.
Both the state and federal legislators have ambitious goals to have programs ready and passed quickly when congress reconvenes in 2009.
According to a study done by the Global Insight for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, more than 750,000 jobs across America are considered ‘green’ jobs. That number is expected to spike to 4.2-million by 2038. In Minnesota, more than 15,000 jobs are considered ‘green’, with that number potentially reaching 114,000 over the same time period, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
West Central Telephone Association is a full service telecommunications company providing local and long distance services, advanced telephone, broadband Internet services, IPTV, business phone systems, complete telecommunications wiring services and much more.
