Last week over 100 chambers of commerce and business leaders from North Carolina participated in CICE’s offshore wind webinar co-hosted with the Southeastern Wind Coalition. The webinar featured Chris Chung from Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Chad Beard from Nucor Steel Corporation,
Amy Braswell from the Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce, and Andy Geissbuehler of BVG Associates.
With $100 Billion in investment and 80,000 jobs in play with the US offshore wind industry, the economic benefits were highlighted in the webinar for North Carolina’s Kitty Hawk Offshore Wind, located 27 miles off the coast of the Outer Banks and developed by Avangrid Renewables as well as the potential development off the coast of Wilmington.
Attendees heard from industry experts including BVG Associates, who will join North Carolina State University and other partners to conduct an offshore wind supply chain and infrastructure study. Other speakers discussed the economic development opportunity ahead for North Carolina with offshore wind including job creation and the vast supply chain needed to support it.
Amy Braswell, Director of the Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce shared, “We are eagerly anticipating the development and operation of (both the offshore wind fields in our region). Hertford County is very well situated to participate in supply chain and workforce development for both the VA and the NC offshore projects.” She continued “I am a sailor and know firsthand that it takes a blend of energy sources to meet all needs and occasions on our boat. Why would we as a community or State not want the same?”
When speaking about attracting offshore wind companies and supply chain firms, including manufacturing and service activity, Chris Chung, CEO of Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina said “we want an unfair share to be here in North Carolina.”
You can watch the recording of the webinar here
For more information about the economic benefits of all clean energy development in North Carolina, contact Susan Munroe at susan@chambersforinnovation.com.
