Wind Power, Manufacturing and Rockford Region

2 comments July 8th, 2008

In a conversation today with Tino Oldani, Ingersoll and Einar Forsman, Rockford Chamber, we discussed the possibility of developing this regions manufacturing and engineering capabilities to take advantage of the growing wind power industry. By chance, I saw the following article later today that talks about billionaire Boone Pickens and his investment in this technology.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/07/08/pickens.plan/index.html

With the talent and manufacturing capabilities here, why can’t we think about growing into this industry as suppliers of components to this industry?

More later….

Rockford: Clean water capital?

Add comment July 8th, 2008

Is it possible there could be future wars over water? With a new invention from Dean Kamen, the man behind the portable dialysis machine, two-wheeled Segway, and now a water filtration machine, perhaps not. If Kamen’s machine could be sold at near-commodity pricing, imagine what it could mean for the world. Moreover, what if Rockford helped manufacture the device? Rockford already has a history with Kamen’s Segway, Danaher makes parts for its gyroscopic motor. Something like this could go a long way to creating new jobs for the area.

See Kamen on the Colbert Report.