New North Inc.: New report shows economic growth potential for wind energy industry in northeast Wisconsin

Contact: Joshua Morby

Mobile: 920.968.4197

Email: media@thenewnorth.com

Wisconsin ranked 5th in the country in growth; new wind projects all in the New North

NEW NORTH, April 13, 2009 – The American Wind Energy Association’s Annual Wind Industry Report shows Wisconsin as the fifth fastest-growing state in terms of percentage growth in the wind energy industry over the past year, thanks to three new wind energy developments in the New North.

Wisconsin now ranks 15th overall in wind energy production capacity, up from 23rd overall in 2007. The state has six times the capacity in 2008 that it had the previous year.

“This report illustrates the economic growth opportunities that exist in the wind energy industry for the New North,” said Jerry Murphy, Executive Director of the New North, Inc. “With three new large-scale projects in Fond du Lac County, and hundreds nationwide, this emerging industry is developing rapidly, and we’re well-positioned as a region to take advantage of it.”

The Cedar Ridge, Blue Sky Green Field, and Forward Energy Wisconsin wind farms all went online in 2008, and added approximately 300 MW of wind power capacity for Wisconsin. Nationwide, over 8500 MW of capacity was added, an increase of 50% over 2007.

“Wind energy is a targeted industry cluster for the New North, and it’s easy to see why,” Murphy said. “Our region has some of the best, most innovative component manufacturers in the country, great secondary schools, an ideal location, and great infrastructure. These assets have helped grow the wind energy industry in the New North, and as the industry continues to develop throughout the country, New North suppliers will see even more of the economic benefits.”

The New North co-sponsored the Wisconsin Wind Energy Supply Chain Seminar late last month in Appleton, which brought more than 600 attendees to the region to learn about opportunities in the wind industry.

The New North also has helped compile a Wind Energy Supply Chain Directory, which provides a list of dozens of companies in Wisconsin that provide services to the wind energy industry, as well as a report on the potential of the wind industry in Northeast Wisconsin. Both reports are available on the New North website at http://www.thenewnorth.com.

To view the complete AWEA report, please visit http://www.awea.org.

New North, Inc. is a regional collaboration effort focused on promoting regional cooperation and economic development in an 18-county region in Northeast Wisconsin. The 18 counties included in the New North are Outagamie, Winnebago, Calumet, Waupaca, Brown, Shawano, Oconto, Marinette, Door, Kewaunee, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Florence, Menominee, and Waushara. To find out more information about New North, Inc., please visit our website.