Manufacturing Opportunities

By: becca ebner Published: March 30, 2009

1 out of 1 people think we should do this.

Given Lansing’s history with Oldsmobile and GM, reviving the local manufacturing industry might not be a bad idea. With alternative energy being a popular topic today, Michigan State University’s research community could combine with a more “professional” atmosphere, in terms of business incubation, and possibly start developing alternative energy here. These alternative energy solutions would include developing and building hybrid vehicles, solar cells, wind mills, etc. Additionally, a training center should be opened to train potential employees the specialized skills for their jobs, thus decreasing the unemployment rate.

New and emerging alternative energies, especially wind turbines, have the potential to give the city of Lansing a complete makeover. Since the Lansing Oldsmobile and GM plants are no longer serviceable, why not revamp these factories by making them suitable for generating alternative energy? Wind turbines are considered one of the most promising energy sources of the future because, due to winds’ ability to produce 10,000 megawatts per year (about 16 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity); it has the potential to “fuel” about five cities the size of Miami. According to the World Watch Institute, wind energy could provide 20% of America’s electricity with turbines placed on less than 1% of its land area, and within that area, less than 5% of the land being occupied by wind equipment. The rest of the land could still be used for farming or ranching. Building factory would not only be environmentally friendly, but it would also educate the community about alternative energy while creating job opportunities.
Modern wind turbines convert mechanical energy to electricity. Constructing these devices in the Lansing area would allow the economy to prosper.

Michigan State University is recognized internationally as a major public university with “global reach and extraordinary impact.” It has achieved this recognition through innovative teaching and research methodologies. The Scientist magazine ranked MSU fourth as one of the best places to work in academic. Additionally, MSU ranks in the top five campuses in the country for sustainability. Michigan State University is the only university in the country with three medical schools on campus – Human Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, and Veterinarian Medicine. All these credentials give reason to believe MSU has the potential to have an even greater impact on the science and technology community. Whether MSU takes on a project similar to Martek’s (which started at a University), as mentioned above, or polls together its engineering and natural science to advance alternative energies, the business possibilities are endless.

Another factor that comes in to play when talking about business opportunities is how are we going to find people to fill these jobs? And the answer is training centers. Machinist training centers provide secure jobs – rarely going out of work – for a wide range of people from students to older generations looking for new work. The training centers teach students/employees specialized skills that are valued and needed just about anywhere in the world. A training center in the Lansing area would teach students, for example, if an alternative energy plant develops, how to manufacture things like wind turbines, modern hybrid vehicles, or other alternative energy products. Southern California has recently developed the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA), which trains students how to use tools and computers for jobs in aerospace, automotive, medical, and manufacturing businesses. While a high school diploma is not required for this kind of high-tech training, graduates can expect to earn a sizable salary. Because training centers are so versatile, developing one in Lansing would guarantee the success of local businesses.

For more information see:
Traning Center
Alternative Energy
American Wind Association

Send to Twitter Back to Articles

Report Abuse : Report problems with this article.

Comments

Hey I think you may not have received any votes is because you are using GMC and Oldesmobiles names. Anything to do with these failed ideas make this idea seem to be a future failure as well.
posted by Austin Berger December 01, 2009

Report Abuse : Report problems with this comment.

It sounds like a good idea to me though!
posted by Austin Berger December 01, 2009

Report Abuse : Report problems with this comment.