MUNCIE — If Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has his way, Indiana will be a leader in the country for alternative energy production.
Brevini Power Transmission’s announcement Wednesday that it will bring 455 jobs to Delaware County to manufacture gear boxes for wind turbines fits Daniels’ goal, as does the fact that the state has the country’s second largest wind farm operation, in Benton County.
Although Brevini’s gear boxes likely will go to wind turbines in Germany, the company is looking at supplying parts to North American wind farms in the near future. Indiana would like to be the home for much of that part manufacturing, said Mitch Frazier of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
“This is the first of many (alternative energy parts manufacturers) likely to come,” he said.
Madison County specifically has been marketing its past manufacturing skills from workers retired or laid off from Anderson’s General Motors plants to companies looking to create alternative energy parts here, county economic development director Rob Sparks said.
“Whether you’re talking about wind technology or solar, you’re going to utilize the skilled work force still in the area,” he said.
Sparks worked with former Mayor Kevin Smith to get Brevini to come to Anderson, a battle eventually lost to Muncie, which had an already-built facility for the company.
“We put a good packet on the table,” Sparks said. “We had an uphill battle.”
Smith said the Brevini lead came into his office almost two years ago, making Anderson the first city in the country to know Brevini was looking to expand in the United States.
“The city of Anderson led the way on this one,” he said.
The city competes in a regional and global economy, forcing it to be even more aggressive in attaining new business, including alternative energy manufacturers, Smith said.
“All types of alternative sources of energy are going to come into play in greater quantities,” he said. “Obviously that type of power generation is increasing.”
Indiana’s only wind farm is in Benton County on the northwest side of the state. The farm, developed by Orion Energy, came online this year and can produce 130.5 megawatts of power. Another farm is in the works for the state, spanning Benton and Tippecanoe counties that will be able to produce 399.6 megawatts.
Indiana ranks 19th in the country for existing capacity in wind power generation, and ranks 44th for potential generation, according to the American Wind Energy Association.
Wind energy is growing in the United States — by an average of 29 percent in each of the last five years, according to the AWEA. Total installed generation capacity at the end of 2007 was 16,818 megawatts, enough to serve 4.5 million households.
The federal government gives companies incentives to invest in renewable energy resources, which could help spurn growth in the sector.
U.S. Rep. Mike Pence said his office played a supporting role in getting Brevini to Muncie. He wrote letters to Brevini on behalf of both Muncie and Anderson, both areas he represents.
“People from all over the region are benefiting,” Pence said. “My desire was to see Brevini in east central Indiana.”
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Indiana wind farms
— Goodland: Benton County, 130.5 megawatt capacity, GE Energy turbine manufacturer, developer Orion Energy Group, power purchaser Duke Energy
— Fowler Ridge (under construction): Benton and Tippecanoe counties, 399.6 megawatt capacity, Clipper & Vestas turbine manufacturer, developer BP Alternative Energy/Dominion Energy, power purchaser Appalachian Power and Indiana Michigan Power
Source: American Wind Energy Association
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October 8, 2008
BREVINI: State looks to lead in wind energy
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Photo gallery: AU vs Mount Saint Joseph Baseball
Photos from the baseball double header and senior night for Anderson University and Mount Saint Joseph on 5/7/10.
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Comedian Harland Williams coming to Paramount
LOS ANGELES — Canadian Harland Williams was enjoying winter in Southern California. “It’s beautiful out,” said Williams, 47, familiar from roles in films like “Dumb & Dumber” and “There’s Something About Mary.” “A bit cold, but is 65 cold? I’ll take this cold any day, thank you.” Williams, whose Indiana performances have been exclusive to Crackers in Broad Ripple, will take the stage at the Paramount on Friday, April 2.
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Nancy Wood back in Anderson, with ASO
ANDERSON — Nancy Wood stared into the glass vase, full of clear water, with the bare roots of a plant dangling down into it.
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Auction deal for buyers, not for owners
ANDERSON — An auction held Saturday at a former, popular cabinet manufacturer resulted in deals for local woodwork hobbyists and businesses, but earned less than the new owners hoped for.
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Ann Duran on the air in Madison County
DALEVILLE — As a child, radio personality Ann Duran remembers her father calling her his mini-Barbara Walters.
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Weights, measures officials protect consumers
ANDERSON — Whether consumers are filling up their cars’ gas tanks, buying a gallon of milk or drying clothes at a laundromat, one man in Anderson makes sure they always get their money’s worth.
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AHS rocking to 'Schoolhouse Rock Live!'
ANDERSON, Ind. — With the end of the school year quickly approaching, Anderson High School Performing Arts students are springing into a favorite pastime. With the help of their director of six years, Tiffany Jackson, the group of 12 is putting on a musical, “Schoolhouse Rock Live!”
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Anderson native to lead county ghost tour
ANDERSON — Growing up in Madison County, Nicole Kobrowski liked to visit some of the area’s creepier places, such as Moss Island Road just west of the city.
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Sidewalk Prophets looking for a Dove
Sidewalk Prophets know how to please a crowd when they sing Christian pop at concerts across the nation.
Now, they’d like fans to reciprocate to help the band win a Dove Award. -
At Home: Project a bonding experience
PENDLETON — When a four-year project goes on for seven years, the result is often a strained marriage.
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