In reviewing the FY10 requests for proposal for the Economic Development Administration’s (housed in the Department of Commerce) University Center Economic Development Program Competition, a few things caught my eye….such as, bringing economic resources to distressed regions, connecting rural to urban economies and commercializing research in the field of alternative energy. These are a list of lofty goals. And in reading this, I recalled a discussion we had in class about the challenges with matching clean-tech/high-tech industries to distressed communities. I believe it is a surmountable challenge, but who has done this well? Are there any examples or models we can use a basis for possibly replicating this in Maryland?
According to Green for All, “national organization working to build an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty”, Washington, Texas and New Mexico have taken steps in the right direction. They passed green jobs legislation in 2009 that committed to creating green jobs for disadvantaged workers. Many programs, thus far, have involved job training and employment opportunities in home weatherization.
But what are the other capacities or potential for the burgeoning “green-collar” workers? According to a case study of Berkeley, CA, conducted by Dr. Raquel Pinderhughes, “green collar jobs are blue collar jobs in a green business.” (p. 2) In her case study, she found that the following sectors provides unique workforce opportunities to individuals with barriers to employment: energy, water, green building, wood working, green space, food, transportation, non-toxic printing, non-toxic cleaning and waste stream diversion.
So, what opportunities remain in Maryland that can really make on an impact on our workforce with employment barriers? I hope to discover this throughout this class.
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