The following development organizations are recipients of Expansion Solutions Magazine’s 2011 Awards of Excellence in the *** Wind*** industry category. These awards recognize organizations who have demonstrated exceptional progress and potential in the development of their areas -- by successfully recruiting, retaining and growing businesses. The winners below are listed in alphabetical order and are reflective of our top 5 selections.
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Amarillo Economic Development Corporation
Amarillo, TX
www.amarilloedc.com
July 2006 marked a monumental event as Texas made history surpassing California as the leader in aggregate wind power capacity. This accomplishment is a testament to the proactive spirit of both the public and private sectors to embrace Texas as the emerging market for wind energy and wind-related technologies and Amarillo, TX is in the middle of it!
Amarillo, Texas is strategically positioned in the center of the Texas Panhandle, and harbors the top four proposed CREZs in the state of Texas. Optimal environmental conditions allow for the most accessible and quantifiable wind resource in the United States. The growth in the wind sector is attributed to its progressive landowners, pro-business attitude and availability of wide, open spaces with excellent highway and rail transportation that are free from urban sprawl. Currently, aggressive wind farm development is taking place and the area is ripe with opportunity. Not only is the Texas Panhandle abundant with wind as an energy source, but Amarillo has the support structure and work force necessary for companies producing renewable components to prosper.
Amarillo has a large manufacturing base in companies such as Owens Corning, Bell Helicopter and Amarillo Gear. The raw materials for the production of blades already exist here in Amarillo. Owens Corning produces spun fiberglass threads used in the composites of wind turbine blade manufacturing. With an abundance of machining, electrical and welding operations as well as many other unique manufacturers, the labor force is skilled and easily trainable to a myriad of industries.
Beaver County Economic Development Corporation
Beaver, UT
www.beavercountyced.org
Beaver County is geographic center of all renewable resources useful in generating electricity in the state of Utah including utility scale geothermal and wind generating operations. Beaver County is a vibrant, progressive, rural county seeking partners in the new energy economy.
Beaver County’s most recent projects include: First Wind a 203.5 MW Wind Turbine Farm, Raser Technologies, a 10 MW geothermal station, ENEL North America—Cove Fort Sulphurdale Geothermal plant and Heritage Plastics an electrical conduit manufacturer.
Milford Wind stretches through the desert of southern Utah, just north of the town of Milford. The combined 306 MW facility was developed in two phases and is the largest operational utility-scale wind farm in Utah. Output from the two operational phases provides power for about 64,000 Southern California homes under normal operating conditions, while avoiding 300,000 tons of CO2 emissions that would result from conventional regional generation sources in a typical year.
Phase 1, completed in November of 2009, is situated predominantly in Beaver County and consists of 97 operational wind turbines – a mix of 1.5 MW 2.5 MW machines – with a maximum capacity of 204 MW. The second phase of the project, completed in May of 2011 mostly in Millard County, added 102 MW from 68 turbines. First Wind is exploring further development opportunities for harnessing the excellent wind resource in this area.
This project has generated nearly $86 million in direct and indirect spending in Utah and will continue to benefit the region,” Lt. Governor Bell noted. “Utah has tremendous potential for generating renewable power. This development primed Utah’s economic engine, while also protecting our environment.”
In May of 2011, GE and Cisco successfully teamed up to provide park-wide connectivity to the first phase of First Wind’s Milford, Utah wind farm. The GE-pioneered solution uses Cisco’s networking infrastructure to provide up-tower and down-tower wireless connectivity across all 39 GE turbines and throughout the 42 square miles of the park.
The solution deployed by First Wind supports data, video and voice communications through Internet Protocol-based networking technology. By enabling wireless Internet access across the Milford wind farm, onsite technicians are able to collaborate real-time with GE’s global experts via video conferencing while at the same time sharing data and information about the operation of the turbines with high definition imaging. The goal of this collaboration is to limit down-time, which can lead to increases in production.
Iowa City Area Development Group
Iowa City, Iowa
www.iowacitywind.com
In the past year, the Iowa City Area Development (ICAD) Group helped the city of Iowa City, Iowa, become the first and only city in the nation to purchase land and develop an industrial park specific to the wind energy industry.
Created with the goal of attracting development through conscientious design, every aspect of Iowa City's Wind Energy Supply Chain Campus meets the unique needs of wind energy ?manufacturers. All turning radii and road widths have been designed to accommodate trailers commonly used for moving nacelles and blades. There is significant flexibility in platting ?and layout of rail infrastructure to customize site plans. For example, a foundry could be placed adjacent to any nacelle OEM such that shipping costs on large castings would be eliminated.
ICAD Group represents the Wind Energy Supply Chain Campus and other property within close proximity to Clipper Windpower and Acciona North America. The area allows companies the potential to expand upon an existing synergistic cluster in the heart of the wind belt, provides easy shipping routes to Midwestern wind farms, and connects employers to the largest population ?region in the state of Iowa. More than 100,000 people in the advanced manufacturing laborshed for this region are willing to switch jobs or enter the workforce for the right opportunity.
ICAD Group also fosters innovation within our seven county region and connects our strong knowledge base and R&D capacity with companies researching our area. We provide direct ?links to the wind energy research being developed at the University of Iowa's College of Engineering, led by AWEA board member Patrick Butler. Traditional industrial tech programs are also offered by Kirkwood Community College.
Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council
Lee’s Summit, MO
www.leessummit.org
In January, 2011, Exergonix CEO Don Nissanka announced the company has selected Lee's Summit for its $90 million, state-of-the-art global headquarters. A green technology company, Exergonix bridges the gap between energy production and consumption by storing and distributing energy from utilities, wind and solar power plants. The company expects to bring 275 jobs with an average salary of $51,000 to Lee's Summit in its first five years. Exergonix plans to build a 250,000 square foot, LEED certified manufacturing facility and learning campus at the former Pfizer site at the intersection of U.S. 50 and M-291 Highway South in Lee's Summit. Nissanka hopes to open the Exergonix facilities by 2012.
"The decision for Exergonix to locate its world headquarters and first assembly plant in Lee's Summit is fantastic news for our community and for the Kansas City area," said Lee's Summit Mayor Randy Rhoads. "We are proud to partner with Don Nissanka and his executive team as they create a new ways to supply energy that will ultimately bring green jobs and green solutions to our community locally, as well as nationally and internationally."
Lee's Summit City Manager Stephen Arbo also shared his thoughts stating, "Through the collaborative efforts of the Lee's Summit Economic Development Council, the City of Lee's Summit, the R-7 School District and Exergonix, we have created an opportunity that should attract additional investment in the future. Exergonix's initial use of 24 acres of the 84-acre former Pfizer property will serve as a building block for more investment."
This project will have a lasting effect on the community by bringing jobs and investment to Lee's Summit. In addition to the initial $90 million capital investment, the City expects the "ripple effect" of complementary and supporting businesses in the clean energy sector will generate an estimated $750 million over the next 10 years. "The ripple effect of Don's vision for Exergonix is enormous. It's not just a manufacturing facility, it's a way of life that puts Lee's Summit at the forefront of clean energy and green technology," said LSEDC President and CEO Jim Devine. "Exergonix will spur the green technology and energy market in Lee's Summit." offers played a part in our decision," added Nissanka. "Lee's Summit is an enticing community, which will make it easier to find good people to work at Exergonix."
South Jersey Port Corporation
Camden, NJ
www.southjerseyport.com
The South Jersey Port Corporation (SJPC) is an agency of the State of New Jersey that owns, operates and manages international seaports in Southern New Jersey. The SJPC oversees the import and export of international bulk, breakbulk and container cargoes creating vital jobs and economic impacts to the Delaware Valley Region. In late 2010, the SJPC commenced the construction of the Paulsboro Marine Terminal Project, the first new marine terminal to be built on the Delaware River in 40 years, and has targeted early 2013 to complete the Phase 1 of the project.
Once fully complete, the Paulsboro Marine Terminal will consist of a 4-berth facility that encompasses approximately 190 acres of adjacent upland. The initial or Phase I portion of the terminal consists of a 2-berth wharf and adjacent upland, which is rough graded in anticipation for subsequent vertical construction of facilities for the handling of raw materials and subsequent manufacturing, assembly, staging, storage and load-out of wind turbine components.
In 2011, SJPC continued to work with other New Jersey State and/or Federal government agencies, and industry partners to establish the Paulsboro Marine Terminal as a renewable energy manufacturing industry center or Offshore Energy Park as the State of New Jersey emerges at the forefront of the developing U.S. offshore wind energy industry.
