Letter From the Commissioner

March 2009

Last May, Time magazine published an intriguing story under the headline “What is a Green-Collar Job, Exactly?”

It’s a good question, and one that we’ve been wrestling with at DEED as we attempt to define and measure the scope of an industry that is just beginning to take off, particularly in southwestern Minnesota.

The Green Jobs Task Force, which was established by the Legislature in the past year, is working on a definition that, among other things, says a green job provides work in one of four industry sectors – green products, renewable energy, green services, and environmental conservation.

Still, as the magazine pointed out, defining green jobs can be tricky, depending on what other criteria are used and how wide of a net is cast.

You’re going to be hearing a lot about green jobs in Minnesota in coming years, as the renewable energy industry grows and becomes a significant player in the economy.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s Green Jobs Investment Initiative is one example of how the state can help green businesses take root in Minnesota and generate new jobs.

The initiative, announced in November, includes the following proposals:

• New tax-free incentives through a “Green JOBZ” program that will provide the same tax exemptions found in the state’s JOBZ program to qualifying green job projects.
• A new Job Growth Investment Tax Credit, 50 percent of which will be targeted to green job projects that will promote the state’s renewable energy goals.
• A new Small Business Investment Tax Credit for investments in qualified Minnesota businesses, 50 percent of which will be targeted to green job projects.
• Incentives to expand the production and infrastructure for biomethane, solar, and other renewable energy projects.
• Creation of a clean and green technology category as part of the Minnesota Cup competition to reward innovation and spark invention.
• Tracking energy usage by state government and holding government accountable for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.

It’s an ambitious plan that will help a promising industry flourish in a state that already is among the leaders in many areas of renewable energy, especially wind power and ethanol.This issue of Trends looks at where we have been and where we are going in the green sector. We hope you find it informative and thought-provoking.

Dan McElroy