Minnesota received great news Monday when Governor Tim Pawlenty unveiled a green jobs plan to spur economic development while preserving our environment and tackling global warming.  The new program, dubbed the "Green Jobs Investment Initiative," includes tax exemptions and credits for businesses that create green jobs, credits specifically for small-scale green businesses, incentives for innovation in the green tech sectors, and monitoring of state energy usage and emission levels.

According to a release issued by his office Pawlenty said, "The development of green jobs will be one of the biggest changes in our economy since the industrial revolution. The proposals we are announcing today will fuel job growth by incentivizing new technology and innovation."

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) conservatively estimates that an additional 114,000 green jobs can be created in Minnesota in the next 30 years.  In this time of economic uncertainty it is reassuring to know that our state—and hopefully our country—are embracing the new energy economy and investing in green job development, rather than old, dirty, unstable industries! 

For full info about this exciting new initiative visit: http://www.governor.state.mn.us/mediacenter/pressreleases/PROD009192.html.