Growing Green conference offers tools to boost West Texas economy

Learn how green or sustainable industries and technologies can boost the West Texas economy, improve a company’s bottom line and create jobs at the Growing Green — Permian Basin conference on Dec. 1-2 at the MCM Grande Hotel in Odessa.

Business and community leaders, economic developers and entrepreneurs can network and meet speakers from Texas finance, business and government who will provide the latest knowledge and technical expertise on the emerging green industry and sustainable development practices. Participants will also benefit from information about financial incentives and tax breaks that can help spur economic development and entrepreneurship, and strengthen the local economy through sustainable rural development projects and businesses.

Conference topics will include renewable energy projects, sustainable practices in agriculture, energy-saving ideas, tax credits, state and federal incentives, financing tools and best practices. A workforce education panel will discuss “Pathways Out of Poverty – Training for Green Jobs,” a program to help workers across the Permian Basin gain the skills required for jobs in high growth and emerging green industries.

The conference will begin with check-in at 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 1 at the MCM Grande Hotel, and will conclude at 12:15 p.m. on Dec. 2.

“This is an effort to harness emerging green technologies and industries to enhance economic development in rural and distressed areas of Texas,” said Economic Development Program Manager Sue Ann Palmore of the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), which is conducting the conference. “Conference participants will learn how green practices and industries enhance the bottom line of businesses and the local community and help to diversify the local economic base.”

Funding for the conference is provided by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Future sustainable rural development conferences are being scheduled at locations across the state, including Aransas Pass, New Braunfels and the Texas Panhandle.

Co-sponsors of the conference include the Growing Green Advisory Council, Odessa Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Midland Development Corporation, University of Texas — San Antonio Small Business Development Center and SBDC Networks, Texas Association of Regional Councils, Texas General Land Office, State Energy Conservation Office, Texas Departments of Agriculture, and the Greater Texas Capital Corporation, The Greenbelt Coalition, among others.