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Chambers for Innovation 6/13/18 Chambers for Innovation 6/13/18

Economic Benefits of Offshore Wind in Clear View for Chamber, Business Leaders

On a beautiful sunny day, 115 local chamber of commerce and business leaders recently got onboard a boat in Massachusetts for a 30-mile journey to tour America's first offshore wind project, the Block Island Wind Farm.

With offshore wind development growing along the eastern seaboard, it was a fun opportunity for chamber leaders to learn about the tremendous economic benefits this new industry offers.

In a tour organized Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy and the National Wildlife Federation, chamber leaders learned about the benefits expected to accrue over the next decade to Massachusetts alone, including:

6,870 to 9,850 new jobs
$1.4 to $2.1 billion in investment
Economic opportunities for nearly 20 communities along the supply chain.

They also heard from several chamber colleagues. Check out the photos and quotes below.

photography by Sergio badmonkeypics@outlook.com

““The emerging offshore wind industry has the potential to generate approximately $680 million in annual property tax payments, as well as support approximately 160,000 jobs by 2050. That is good news for communities up and down the supply chain,” said Rick Kidder, President and CEO of the SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce. (Kidder is pictured above right, next to Jack Lank, President and CEO, United Regional Chamber.)”

““The Blackstone Valley Chamber sees great opportunity in offshore wind and supports efforts to keep Massachusetts competitive in this growing industry which will in turn help keep and grow manufacturing jobs in our state,” said Jeannie Hebert, President and CEO of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce.”

““As the President of the New England Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, I can say that we know offshore wind is on the mind of a lot of our members,” said Jane Garibay, who is also the Executive Director of the Windsor Chamber in Connecticut. “We support the local economic development opportunities that clean energy offers.””

photography by Sergio badmonkeypics@outlook.comBill White, Senior Director of Offshore Wind Sector Development, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center — photography by Sergio badmonkeypics@outlook.com
Bill White, Senior Director of Offshore Wind Sector Development, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center