History & Accomplishments

For several years Land-of-Sky Regional Council (LOSRC) and its partners worked directly with clean energy businesses, community colleges, and economic and workforce development organizations.

LOSRC’s Economic Innovation Grant (EIG) from the NC Rural Center, entitled Planning and Entrepreneurship for a Clean Energy Future (2008-2010), has provided us with a clearer view of the current challenge and opportunity facing the clean energy economy in WNC. Focused primarily on North Carolina’s Region B, we conducted business incubation, curriculum development, a unique workforce development pilot, public education and other activities through staff work and explicit subcontracts with partner organizations. Business and workforce development activities are successfully underway. These activities have contributed directly or indirectly to the creation of 65 full-time and 17 part-time or temporary jobs since 2007, as a result of some of the successful initiatives outlined below:

1. The NC Rural Center’s EIG financial support helped Green Opportunities to pilot a paid apprenticeship workforce training program. The program has gained success in green job training for disadvantaged youth. FLS Energy, a rapidly-growing renewable energy business, hosted two apprentices and hired both of them at the end of their apprenticeships.

2. AdvantageWest is now leading efforts to address the business climate and workforce training needed to cultivate a clean energy business cluster through Blue Ridge Entrepreneurial Council, Economic Development Advisory Council, and other initiatives. AdvantageWest’s AdvantageGreen program seeks to leverage regional assets to promote green economic opportunities and to support long-term green job creation and retention.   AdvantageWest and LOSRC are working with leaders of higher education institutions to develop the necessary curricula, degree and certificate programs, policy seminars, executive education opportunities and R&D partnerships with businesses to fuel the clusters’ growth.

3. LOSRC partnered with a community development financial institution, the Natural Capital Investment Fund (NCIF), in 2009 on a proposal for a $5 million revolving loan fund to serve clean energy businesses in WNC. While developing this proposal, LOSRC referred two local companies to NCIF for possible financing to meet capital needs. Similar connections throughout the 31-county area will likely be made through the leadership group activities and a Web 2.0 portal.

4. The LOSRC Clean Vehicles Coalition facilitated the growth of local bio-fuel producers, compressed natural gas stations, and propane infrastructure through various collaborative efforts, including work to secure over $2 million of a $14 million ARRA grant for WNC projects. The alternative fuel sector is emerging in WNC, but is currently not close to capacity, nor is it extensively integrated into economic development plans. A leadership group and regional brand will build upon existing momentum in support of alternative fuels to diversify the market base, attract greater attention from nvestors and leaders, and create jobs.

5. Technical assistance to local governments for energy planning has been successful. Between August 2009 and January, 2010, LOSRC and Waste Reduction Partners (WRP) helped over 15 WNC local governments and school systems to apply for over $3.5 million in stimulus funding for clean energy-related projects. Our current EIG funding was a key to organizing this effort and the early planning effort to enhance the competitive position of our client governments. Increased federal and state funding for energy-related projects will continue to drive demand for energy planning, project assistance, and implementation by local clean energy companies. As such, it will continue to be a key market development strategy in our current proposal.

To scale up these strategies, a different project model is needed.

We are transitioning from an operational to a strategic vantage point while “bringing to scale” a project that promises a wider impact across a larger geographic region with greater resources and enhanced partnerships.

We look forward to working with clean energy businesses and supporting organizations as we develop project activities and share resources to foster the clean energy economy in western North Carolina.