Dr. Dave Kolzow has recently completed his book A Strategic Approach to Economic Development, now available in pdf for download.  In addition to Dave's tools used in over 30 years of facilitating strategic plans for states, regions, communities and EDOs, this book incorporates the latest research and best practices in the field of strategic planning as it applies to economic development.  It includes practical guidelines for effective visioning, setting priorities and goals, formulating strategic actions, and developing outcome and performance measures.  Hardcopies available soon.
Click here to purchase.

The Jackson Convention Complex not only offers exceptional amenities, space, and services, but is also an example of how large facilities can be environmentally responsible.
The Complex has been awarded LEED® Certified established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
View the JCC website.

 

Blade Dynamics, in partnership with American Superconductor Corp. and Dow Chemical, is investing $13 million in a facility to manufacture wind turbine blades, creating 600 new jobs over five years.  This facility, to be located at the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in New Orleans, Louisiana, is owned by NASA and is one of the world's largest manufacturing centers.

 

Since Blade Dynamics announced their blade manufacturing facility at Michoud in New Orleans, discussion has been stimulated on the degree to which offshore wind will be encouraged, and the potential that offshore wind holds.

 

Advanced Refining Concepts, a company that produces a cleaner-burning, more efficient fuel from low-sulfur diesel and natural gas has received formal certification for the state's alternative fuels program.  Lab results on GDiesel showed it improved fuel efficiency by up to 36 percent and reduced emissions on one or more regulated pollutants.
Read the entire story here. 

The San Diego Biofuels Initiative has been awarded a $4 million grant from the California Dept. of Labor to train workers to join the biofuels workforce through the "Green Innovation Challenge."
There are nearly 30 businesses in the region engaged in biofuels development, many focused on algae, including Synthetic Genomics and Sapphire Energy, which expect to be producing biodiesel from algae by next year.
Read the entire article here.

 

On July 14, Advance Mississippi hosted its latest Power Lunch examining the current state and future growth of Biomass in Mississippi. The event featured Dr. Sumesh Arora, Director of the Strategic Biomass Initiative at the Mississippi Technology Alliance; Dr. Glenn Steele, Director of the Sustainable Energy Research Center at Mississippi State University; Pete Weisenberger, representing the Mississippi Biomass and Renewable Energy Council; and Keith Williams, Director of the Value Added Division at The Molpus Woodlands Group.  

"It isn't about energy independence," said Arora, "it is about energy security."  He explained that security needs diversity, and noted that over a billion dollars of investment in this technology and research has already been invested in Mississippi, and three major farms in the state are already powered on poultry waste systems.