A green Flint takes center stage as businesses hawk their wares at Flint Farmer's Market

FLINT, Michigan -- Flint, which soon will be home to two new plants that make biogas and electric car engines, is poised to become a national leader in the "green" economy if it can maintain its current momentum, some local officials believe.

An event designed to fuel that momentum took place Saturday at the Flint Farmer's Market. "Green Jobs Now" brought together business and academic leaders to educate the public about the green movement, which advocates non-pollluting forms of energy.

"We have some very good things happening in Flint right now," said W.L Scheller, an associate professor of manufacturing engineering at Kettering University.

"I don't know of another community in the nation that has this much going on so quickly - in terms of the number and variety of projects - in such a small area."

The king of Sweden was in Flint this week to break ground for a $10-million Swedish alternative energy plant. Scheller predicts that plant will generate 1,500 jobs within the next five years.

And General Motors this week made it official that the engine for its new Volt electric car will be built in Flint. Scheller believes that engine eventually will wind up in many additional models, bringing even more jobs to the area.

"The face of the city is changing" Scheller said. "This could be a major center for green research, manufacturing and education."

What's needed most at this point, according to Scheller, is venture capital and support from local leaders.

"There are a lot of ideas out there," he said. "It's up to business, education and political leadership to make them happen."

Some of the ideas featured at Saturday's event included solar technology, wind turbines and energy efficient construction.

Richard Hill-Rowley from the University of Michigan-Flint talked about the "Urban Alternatives House" being renovated with green technology. The house, at 519 Garland St., will include solar shingles, wind energy and super insulation. The first floor of the 3-story home will be used for classroom space.

Phase Logic Inc. of Burton displayed solar panels and roof shingles that bank energy from the sun to generate electricity.

"Our first solar panel arrived yesterday," said Dennis Sabo, chief financial officer for the company. "They are in demand and in short supply."

Flint averages only four hours of sunlight per day, Sabo said. But Germany, a leader in the use of solar power, has even less, he said. Solar energy is expensive, he said, but the Michigan Legislature is considering bills that would offer incentives to use solar and wind power.

Roland Mikan of Durand is developing a wind turbine that will power a home with a $10,000 unit.

Michigan has low to moderate winds, he said, and special components are needed to capture it.

"We're developing what I hope will be the most efficient wind turbine in the world," Mikan said.

Kathy Scheller, who organized Saturday's "Green Jobs Now" event, said Flint would be the perfect place to manufacture his unit.

Grant money is available, she said. Flint has vacant industrial land that could easily be converted into green factories. And it has idled workers with the right skills to man them.
"We've got talented workers who are really good with their hands," she said. "Flint is emerging as a leader but we have to keep the energy going."