Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Group Looks To Boost Utah Renewable Energy Businesses

A group which includes The Salt Lake Community College (SLCC), the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE), the Department of Workforce Services (DWS), the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) and Grow Utah Ventures, said Monday that it is looking to drive jobs and growth in Utah's energy industry through a new effort. According to the group, they are creating a "Energy Acceleration Cluster Strategy" which will look to expand and create new renewable energy jobs and businesses in the state.

Utah currently has a major interest in traditional energy, with oil, natural gas, and coal being produced in the state; however, the group said it is hoping to further develop Utah's renewable energy resources, including wind, solar, and geothermal energy. Among the most concrete efforts of the group will be to deliver energy certification and training to students at local institutions. Grow Utah Ventures, one of the groups involved in heading up the project, also recently ran an energy focused business plan competition to help fund and spur new startups in the sector.

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