California Business Minute™

Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute.

Last week at the Goleta Economic Summit, Josh A. Williams, President, BW Research
Partnership Inc., and Bill Buratto, President/CEO, Ventura County Economic
Development Association (VCEDA), gave their assessments of the local economy,
jobs and the Green Economy on behalf of the Workforce Investment Board of Santa
Barbara.

They defined a Green Economy (sometimes also called the “Clean”) as activities or
services that perform at least one of the following: Generating or storing renewable
energy; Recycling existing materials; Energy efficient product manufacturing,
distribution, construction, installation or maintenance; Education, compliance &
awareness; and Natural and sustainable product manufacturing.

From a workforce perspective, being part of the Green Economy means individuals,
businesses, educators, government agencies, the military, investors and others—with
a variety of education levels, skill sets and financial backing—can be used to
complete research and development of alternative energy sources; build new resource-
friendly and energy-efficient homes, commercial facilities and infrastructure;
engage in sustainable farming activities and operate cleaner, more energy-efficient
utilities.

Currently, the County’s WIB is working with its counterparts in the Central Coast
to achieve the following:

• Develop regional priorities,
• Assess strengths and weaknesses,
• Survey employers, and
• Identify regional “Clusters of Opportunities” where investments, 
  catalyst projects, programs and other activities can have the greatest 
  impact on fostering a robust Green Economy

I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.