Nearly 48,000 workers were employed in advanced energy businesses in Indiana in 2015, according to a new report published earlier today by Indiana Advanced Energy Economy (Indiana AEE). That's more Indiana jobs than are in machinery manufacturing (43,000), nearly two times the 25,000 jobs in colleges and universities and approaching the 60,000 in auto parts manufacturing, the group said.
The report marked the debut of the Indiana branch of AEE, which represents corporate members of the national business group AEE. The Indiana arm sees significant opportunity for jobs and business growth across the state in an effort led by Greg Ballard, former Republican mayor of Indianapolis, and Graham Richard, AEE CEO and former Democratic mayor of Fort Wayne.
One out of every 50 workers in Indiana is employed in the advanced energy industry and employers expect to add over 900 new jobs by the end of 2016, a 2% increase. Most advanced energy jobs are in energy efficiency, followed by transportation, solar, wind, biomass and advanced natural gas, said the report, titled "Advanced Energy Jobs in Indiana 2016," (some contact details required for download)
"We are in the middle of an energy transformation, even if most people don't know it," said Ballard, now a senior fellow at Indiana AEE, in prepared remarks. "Indiana has a chance to embrace that transformation and capitalize on it in jobs and economic growth.
"Indiana AEE is here to work with public officials and the community to make that happen."
"Across the nation, we are seeing growing demand for secure, clean and affordable energy resources, among large corporate energy buyers as well as residential consumers," said Richard, in prepared remarks. "With a strong base of manufacturing and services industries, Indiana is uniquely positioned to grow, attract and retain companies that both provide advanced energy products and services and depend on them for their operations."
Based on our experience and growth across the United States and globally, we see great opportunities for Indiana in advanced energy. With a longstanding operations presence in Indiana, we are excited to be working with leaders and policymakers in the state to grow advanced energy business opportunities. – Steven Schamber, VP of hardware R&D for smart grid and energy management firm Landis & Gyr
Along with Landis & Gyr, other national AEE members with a strong presence in Indiana include Ameresco, CleaResult, Pattern Energy and wind power firm Vestas, the group said. AEE also has a growing membership among major users of advanced energy including technology firms such as Amazon (which has a wind project in Indiana), Apple, Microsoft, Salesforce (which is a major employer in Indianapolis) and Walmart, it added.