Competing Smarter

In a news story released today by our friends at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, a Portland, Ind. company called Sertech Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. was recently awarded a $77,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture to further develop its proprietary solar technology.

From the story: "Under development by Sertech Owner Wayne Blevins for nearly five years, the company's Solar Thermal Energy Storage Vessel is similar in size to a residential water heater and contains a proprietary mix of environmentally friendly chemicals that can more efficiently store the sun's heat. Sertech is using the grant to fund a feasibility study with Ball State University."

While Portland, Ind. is located just outside of the 10-county Indianapolis Region, this story is yet another example of Indiana innovation and leadership in the clean-technology, renewable energy space. There are currently more than 100 Central Indiana companies working with or developing new products and technologies that reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

Both Bright Automotive with its 100 miles-per-gallon fleet vehicle, and EnerDel with its comprehensive hybrid-electric battery production have been making national headlines for a while now. But lesser known clean-tech energy projects are underway here, too.

Projects such as the collaboration between Cummins, Allison Transmission and Delphi called Hoosier Heavy Hybrid, which seeks to bring more cost effective light, medium and heavy duty hybrid trucks to market. And Project Plug-IN, a collaboration among auto, technology and utility companies, including Duke Energy and Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL). The project will build the infrastructure to support plug-in vehicles, such as "smart grid" technology that would allow Indianapolis metro commuters to plug-in and recharge their vehicles at home and in downtown parking garages.

And there are many, many more projects underway.

In fact, there is so much activity in Indiana in the clean-tech energy space and so much potential for more activity, that Indy Partnership President and CEO Ron Gifford recently made a bold statement in an address to Indy Partnership investors.

"No other region in the U.S. is better positioned to become the manufacturing epicenter for clean-tech energy compared to the Indianapolis Region," Gifford said. "In addition to our high renewable energy rankings, we offer the most productive manufacturing workforce and the best business climate in the Midwest. When coupled with our central location, our logistics infrastructure, and experienced workforce, it's hard to imagine anyone else competing on this level."

RECENT RANKINGS:

• #1 Advanced Manufacturing Technology
  The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation ranks Indiana as the top state in the U.S. in advance manufacturing technology.
   
• #1 Manufacturing Productivity
  The Census of Manufacturers determined that Indiana has the most productive manufacturing workforce in the Midwest.
   
• #1 Wind Energy Growth State
  The American Wind Energy Association ranked Indiana the fastest-growing wind energy state in the country in 2008 and continuing today.
   
• #2 Renewable Components Manufacturing
  The Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP) recently identified Indiana as the 2nd best state for jobs and investment in renewable energy when normalized for population. 
   
• Twice the National Average
  Manufacturing employment makes up 13% of the Indianapolis Region's workforce, which is more than twice the national average.
   
• High Manufacturing Facility Concentration
  The Indianapolis Region has more than 375 manufacturing facilities with greater than 50 employees.