Local research institutions, particularly Kettering University’s new incubator. Thirty percent of the clients at UT’s Clean & Alternative Energy Incubator are from outside Ohio, and proximity to UT research has been the main draw.17 Kettering’s older TechWorks Incubator has already shown it can attract outside companies, like Swedish Biogas International.18 The Solar Energy Sector in the Toledo region offers city officials valuable lessons as organizations like the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce attempt to attract alternative energy industries to the city. Flint has many assets alternative energy sector companies find valuable, such as abundant industrial land, a strategic location and local research institutions. However, Toledo’s example suggests that for a well developed alternative energy sector to take hold, Flint should emphasize developing home-grown industries through local entrepreneurs and resources. 17 Reichert, interview. 18 Mostafavi.
Works Cited Boyd-Barrett, Claudia. “Hot potential: Toledo’s solar industry promise” Toledo Free Press. April 17, 2009. Burden, Melissa. “Magna Electronics investment announcement latest in growing pattern of alternative energy, alternative fuel projects in Genesee County” Flint Journal. December 16, 2009. Calzonetti, Frank, Professor of Geography and Vice President of Research and Development, The University of Toledo, interview with the author, February 18, 2010. Calzonetti, Frank. “The Role of an Antecedent Cluster, Academic R&D and Entrepreneurship in the Development of Toledo’s Solar Energy Cluster” March 2007 available at uac.utoledo.edu/ nwoerc/FCalzonetti-SolarEnergy.pdf. Carlton, Jim. “Toledo Finds Energy to Reinvent Itself” The Wall Street Journal. B1 December 18, 2007. Mostafavi, Beata. “Governor Granholm helps celebrate progress with Swedish Biogas project at Kettering University” Flint Journal. February 18, 2010. Reichert, Megan, Director, Clean & Alt Energy Incubator, The University of Toledo, interview with the author, February 23, 2010. Sopelsa, Brooke. “Toledo Tries to Overcome Rust-Belt Image” CNBC.com. June 30, 2009. available at http://www.cnbc.com/id/31385869/. Springer, Lee, Director, Business Development, Regional Growth Partnership, e-mail exchange with author, February 17 – 19, 2010. Starner, Ron. “Sun Shines Brightly on Toledo” Site Selection. 300-301. May 2009.
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