Friday, October 31, 2008

How We See It

Good job news from green tech, games

By Mass High Tech Staff

At the risk of our being branded a Pollyanna, the doom and gloom that has settled over the national economy has a few bright lights here in Massachusetts piercing its veil.

In this issue we report on the growth of manufacturing jobs for alternative energy companies in the Bay State. Earlier this month, Konarka Technologies Inc. of Lowell opened up its first major manufacturing plant at an old Polaroid facility in New Bedford — a plant that will bring 100 new jobs to the area. In July, Devens-based Evergreen Solar Inc. opened its new solar cell plant, which it says will eventually create 700 jobs. Not to be outdone, GreatPoint Energy Inc. of Cambridge has broken ground on its first pilot-scale plant for its coal gasification process in Somerset, which will add up to 100 jobs to the area.

Alternative energy is not the only sector still trolling for tech employees. Earlier this week, game developer Turbine Inc. of Westwood announced it had leased new space in Dedham. According to a company spokesperson, Turbine has outgrown its space, and is seeking to fill 50 open positions.

The state has helped most of the alternative energy companies locate their plants here in Massachusetts, and Turbine has some solid venture capital backing. Our elected officials and the financing community need to continue to support local tech growth, and maybe even ramp up their efforts to help tear the gloomy veil asunder.

To stay on top of clean tech news like that above, subscribe to MHT’s new GreenFlash weekly e-mail. Visit www.masshightech.com/subscribe for more information.