Gov. Jennifer Granholm may be the wind industry's best friend in the Midwest, and she is hoping companies and investors return the favor by locating manufacturing facilities in her state.
The Governor was the leadoff speaker at AWEA's Small and Community Wind Conference and Exhibition and Supply Chain Workshop, which opened in Detroit today. While touting the advantages of small and community wind, Granholm displayed her passion when speaking about Michigan's manufacturing resources. we know how to manufacture. This is our stuff. There are 8000 parts in a wind turbine—all of them could be manufactured here. Since we have been the hardest hit in manufactiuring, we see this as an enormous opportunity for us."
AWEA brought more than 1700 attendees to this struggling city, many more than expected when the session was planned last summer. They have filled the cavernous Cobo Center, a convention facility located on the Detroit River, and local officials hope it means more jobs from wind energy in the future.
AWEA CEO, who introduced Gov. Granholm, noted that the industry was excited to be in Detroit. "We are here because wind energy can bring jobs and economic opportunity to this city, this state, and this region." |
