Green Jobs Sought in Minnesota

SSTI Weekly Digest (2/4) – As part of the 2010-11 biennial budget unveiled last week, Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed a package of tax incentives directed toward small, emerging businesses and companies that create green jobs and services. The governor's proposed Minnesota Jobs Recovery Act calls for a sizable investment over the next biennium with even greater costs beginning in 2012.

Gov. Pawlenty's Jobs and Recovery Act also calls for creation of a Green JOBZ program, modeled after the original JOBZ program. The Green JOBZ program would be available only to companies that create renewable energy, represent manufacturing equipment or services used in renewable energy or that create a product or service that lessens energy use or emissions. Companies will receive benefits for twelve years for all agreements signed by the end of 2015 under the plan. Gov. Pawlenty recommends $3.65 million in 2010-11 and another $6.6 million in 2012-13 for the effort.