Gov. Ritter to visit Vestas, promote CO in Nordic region

Metro Denver EDC Executive Vice President Tom Clark part of mission to promote cleantech expansion and investment in Colorado

Gov. Bill Ritter embarks on an economic development mission to Denmark and Finland September 30, 2010 to promote Colorado clean-tech companies, seek new investments into Colorado, and visit the world headquarters of Vestas Wind Systems.

"In this tough economy, with countries around the globe continuing to struggle, Colorado's New Energy Economy remains a powerful engine that is helping to drive our state forward," Gov. Ritter said. "Through this Nordic visit, we hope to raise the profile of Colorado's New Energy Economy on the world stage, encourage investment in the state and support Colorado's clean-tech exporters."

Joined by Metro Denver Economic Development Corp. Executive Vice President Tom Clark, Gov. Ritter will be meeting with European and Nordic companies interested in investing and expanding into the United States, while also promoting and building relationships for existing Colorado clean-tech companies. Gov. Ritter will be in Denmark and Finland from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4.

Clean energy and clean-tech have been bright spots in Colorado's economic recovery. The state now has the fourth-highest concentration of clean-energy workers in America and is home to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Local economist Pattie Silverstein said last week renewable energy is one of the few sectors that has continued to grow in Colorado throughout the recession.

One reason for Colorado's New Energy Economy success is Denmark-based Vestas, the world's largest manufacturer of wind turbines, which has made Colorado its North American production hub. The Governor will tour Vestas while in Denmark and thank executives for investing $1 billion in Colorado's economy. The company is building four production plants and a research-and-development center in Colorado with a combined workforce of 2,500 employees.

"Colorado has done an exceptional job in building a clean energy economy that supports business development and growth opportunities for companies such as Vestas," said Martha Wyrsch, president of Vestas-American Wind Technology Inc. "We located our factories in Colorado and are actively hiring in the state because we believe in Colorado's vision. We are grateful for Gov. Ritter's leadership and look forward to his visit to our corporate headquarters in Denmark."

In addition to meeting with business leaders in Denmark and Finland, Gov. Ritter will take part in several events spotlighting Colorado's clean-tech sector, including keynote addresses at the International Cleantech Cluster and World Climate Solutions conferences.

"From my first day in office, whether the economy was good or bad, I have been focused on creating jobs and strengthening Colorado's economy," Gov. Ritter said. "Marketing our state is one of the key functions of a Governor."

Gov. Ritter has participated in several international economic-development missions, including outreach efforts in Israel, Spain, China, Japan and Canada.

"A mile above sea level, Colorado is one of the most significant states with regard to clean-tech investment and job-creation," said Clark of the Metro Denver EDC. "With the great brainpower based here with NREL, leading research universities and a tech-savvy workforce, we really are the only state that's able to produce innovative clean-tech ideas out of thin air."

Several Colorado companies and organizations also will be in Denmark and Finland at the same time as Gov. Ritter, including Tendril, Spirae, Schneider Electric, Smart Synch, Power Tagging Technologies, Colorado Clean Energy Cluster, Colorado State University, the City of Fort Collins, and Hogan Lovells.

Gov. Ritter will sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the State of Colorado and Schneider Electric regarding electric vehicles and energy performance contracting. Schneider is based in France with operations worldwide, including an emerging market in Colorado.

Gov. Ritter also will preside over the signing of an MOU between the Danish city of Kalunborg and Spirae, a Fort Collins-based smart-grid technology company, to support Kalunborg's Smart Grid and Smart City development activities.

In addition, Gov. Ritter will meet with U.S. Ambassador to Finland Bruce Oreck, executives of clean-tech companies, and with high-level European Union officials, including the EU Commissioner for climate action.

Also joining Gov. Ritter and Clark as part of the Colorado delegation: Tom Plant, director of the Governor's Energy Office; Sandi Moilenan from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade; and Alice Madden, the Governor's deputy chief of staff and climate change adviser.