Investing

Disclaimer: My company, GreenMark, was involved with the solar energy project that is the topic of today’s blog. It has been a week since the groundbreaking for the utility scale solar and energy efficiency project at the MSP airport. The program includes over 3mw of pv solar panels installed atop the main terminal parking ramps, nearly 8,000 new LED lighting units in all 4 parking ramps, new plug-ins for electric vehicles and a 3-year public education and marketing program to inform consumers of the benefits of energy management and renewables. The public response to this advancement in economic and environmental stewardship has been joyful. As leader of the small agency that initiated this project, that makes us happy. In particular, the MAC was a delight to work with—determined, tough, fair and committed to doing the right thing. A few cynics doth protest too much. They charge the effort is meaningless and is a waste of money. But facts are facts. The project … [Read more...] about Airport solar project is sound investment–for our future

A report out last week by the Blue Green Alliance says that more than half of the state's roads are in poor or mediocre condition and need increased investment to be safe, efficient and productive for Minnesotans. The report called "Repair Minnesota: Creating Good Jobs While Preparing Our Systems for Climate Change" also found that 9 percent of Minnesota's bridges are considered "functionally obsolete" and that driving on roads in need of repair collectively costs Minnesota vehicle owners $797 million a year in extra vehicle repairs and operating costs, or $250 per motorist. The report says investing $1.5 billion per year for the next 20 years roads and bridges would bring them out of disrepair and would employ 41,700 people annually. The report also said investing $310 million to $475 million on transit over the next 20 years would create 6,200 to 9,500 job while 1 billion dollars on transit would produce or sustain 37,910 jobs. Those would include everything from construction … [Read more...] about Investing in roads and transit would create more than 90,000 jobs, report says

Angel Tax Credits helped bring $107 million in private investment and more than 500 new jobs to the state between 2010 and 2012, according to a new report. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development touted the results Friday of a new report by the Economic Development and Research Group. State statute required an independent evaluation of the tax credit program after its third year. “The Angel Tax Credit program has a proven track record of success in assisting promising startups in their early stages of development,” DEED Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben said in a statement. Angel Tax Credits go to investors who put money into Minnesota startups, particularly high tech companies. Investors are eligible for credits of up to $125,000 per person, per year. The state had $12.2 million in tax credits available in 2014, and as of Friday, $5.4 million remained in the fund. Among other things, the review concluded that the tax credits could help companies bring … [Read more...] about New report credits Angel Credits with millions in new investments