Charleston Daily Mail

May 5, 2008

Center to research 'green' business ideas

by From staff reports

The nonprofit Center for Economic Options of Charleston is partnering with eight universities across the state to research how West Virginia can become a hub for environmentally sustainable businesses.

Marshall University, Glenville State College, Fairmont State University, University of Charleston, West Virginia University, WVU Institute of Technology, Concord University and Mountain State University are forming student teams to investigate various aspects of a green business network.

Some student teams are investigating specific industry sectors while others are focused on marketing trends, economic research and strategies for retooling the state's existing manufacturing infrastructure to support emerging green technologies.

"Through working with the universities, our strategy is to connect young people and others to the importance of environmental sustainability and the potential for green enterprise development to become an increasingly viable economic driver," said Pam Curry, director of the Center for Economic Options.

Center for Economic Options is a private, nonprofit organization that currently receives financial support from the Blue Moon Fund, the Ford Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Charles M. and Mary D. Grant Foundation and the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.

For more information, contact CEO at 345-1298 or e-mail info@economicoptions.org.

The nonprofit Center for Economic Options of Charleston is partnering with eight universities across the state to research how West Virginia can become a hub for environmentally sustainable businesses.

Marshall University, Glenville State College, Fairmont State University, University of Charleston, West Virginia University, WVU Institute of Technology, Concord University and Mountain State University are forming student teams to investigate various aspects of a green business network.

Some student teams are investigating specific industry sectors while others are focused on marketing trends, economic research and strategies for retooling the state's existing manufacturing infrastructure to support emerging green technologies.

"Through working with the universities, our strategy is to connect young people and others to the importance of environmental sustainability and the potential for green enterprise development to become an increasingly viable economic driver," said Pam Curry, director of the Center for Economic Options.

Center for Economic Options is a private, nonprofit organization that currently receives financial support from the Blue Moon Fund, the Ford Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Charles M. and Mary D. Grant Foundation and the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.

For more information, contact CEO at 345-1298 or e-mail i...@economicoptions.org.