Wilmington aims for green jobs hub

The City of Wilmington may soon become a mecca for green businesses if it gets a state grant. The proposed Green Business Innovation Center would focus on developing new technologies and creating new green jobs here in the Port City.

The driving force behind the project is the Cape Fear Economic Development Council, which wants to put the region at the forefront of the clean technology boom.

“Really our primary focus is to set a new identity for Wilmington’s economic development for the 21st century so we’re more competitive and so that our identity is around more than just heavy industry,” Tom Looney, Vice Chair of the CFEDC, said. “We believe that some of the more knowledge oriented industries that are out there and this emerging clean-tech industry in particular represents opportunities for tremendous job growth for Wilmington.”

The council will receive word on whether it receives the grant in the next two months.