Subscribe to this blog 
SD Public Radio talks Green Jobs
November 6th, 2009 by Mike Knutson
South Dakota Public Radio aired a report yesterday focused on green job development in Howard, SD. Individuals can listen to it here.
The story, reported by Charles Michael Ray, noted that the community stands to benefit from the creation of additional “green jobs” if the Climate Bill passes Congress. It goes on to note that some community members fear that it will have an adverse affect on their livelihoods.
What captured my attention, however, was a quote offered by Robert Mommaerts, who oversees the molding process for the wind turbine blades manufactured by Knight & Carver in Howard. He said:
Not only do I enjoy my job but I enjoy the fact that I’m making a difference in the world by doing my job,” Mommaerts says. ” I’ve always been interested in alternative energy and being able to actually help make it a reality is just that much more enriching for me,” he says.
Mommaerts goes on to tell Ray that he wants to live in a rural place like Howard because it offers “a safe, wholesome place to raise a family.”
Green Jobs are important
There’s little doubt that creating jobs has been an important part of Howard’s recent economic success. But Mommaerts reminds us that young people today don’t just want any job: they often want a job that also allows them to make a difference (read more on Gen Y characteristics here.)
That is something that more economic development professionals may want to think about as they work to establish new businesses. Perhaps all jobs are not created equal. Especially not if the goal is to attract young people.
Tags: green jobs, Howard SD, wind energy
Posted in Economic Development, In the News, Rural | Comments (
1 )
November 6th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Mike, I completely agree with both you and Rob. In one of my architecture classes, our professor shared a statistic with us saying that 90% of people’s day is spent indoors.
I am not in architecture to get my name on some famous building and on the front page of some big magazine; even though that would be a nice perk. I’m in architecture to make that 90% of everyone’s day the best it can be, by way of indoor air quality, plentiful daylight, comfortable spaces, and, at the top of my list, a place that facilitates meaningful interactions in everyday life. I enjoy the challenge my classes and future career pose, but I enjoy more fact that I can use the tools and knowledge I am accumulating to make people’s lives better.
Like Rob, I also want to move back to a rural community, because I feel that is where my knowledge will be best applied. From my years growing up on a family farm, I know that your neighbors are your best allies and we need to trust each other with our problems, knowing that the answer lies in collaboration with each other.