June/July 2009 Editors Note: The Next Wave
Needless to say, the effects of the economic downturn have been widespread, hurting consumers and the companies they support across a broad range of industry sectors.
June/July 09
We also take a close look at the renewable energy sector in this issue in our "Clean Energy, Green Economy" special report. Renewable energy companies - be they wind, solar, geothermal, tidal, biomass, etc. - and the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) involved in making the parts for these firms hold the promise of restoring U.S. economic growth. This is the next "wave" of technology.
Sixteen states have taken the lead in funding for renewable energy projects, which are extremely capital-intensive, through tax and production incentives, rebates, grants, and loans. Further details on these programs - as well as a presentation that highlights many of the alternative energy OEMs and displays clusters of growth throughout the United States - can be found on our website at www.areadevelopment.com/
alternative-energy. The presentation will continue to evolve as new information is received and the alternative energy industry matures.
Although we're not out of the woods yet with regard to the recession, an early June Federal Reserve snapshot of economic conditions found that five out of the Fed's 12 regions indicate the "downward trend is showing signs of moderating." This is consistent with observations made by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke that the recession - which started in December 2007 and is now the longest since World War II - is loosening its strong hold on the economy.
Other analysts at the National Association for Business Economics also predict the recession will end this year, although the recovery is not likely to be smooth. Of course, companies will not be in rush to start hiring until they feel certain that economic growth is sustainable. Nevertheless, the projects and job growth reported in our special Shovel Awards and Renewable Energy reports in this issue present some glimmer of hope in what has otherwise been a bleak economic picture.
Most Read
-
-
Trends in Office and Industrial Parks
Q4 2020
-
The Future of the Workforce Is a “Better Normal”
Workforce Q4 2020
-
Another Look at Rural Economies
Q4 2020
-
Supply Chain Execs Respond as Pandemic Creates E-Commerce Surge
Q4 2020
-
Recruiting and Retaining Today’s Manufacturing Workforce
Workforce Q4 2020
-
2019 Leading Metro Locations: Pacific and South-Atlantic Metros Dominate the List
Q4 2019