Publisher's Watch

Two reports conducted by four cooperating groups show that investing in sustainability (energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy retrofits) can create 1.7 million new jobs, which far outpaces the same investment in fossil-fuel industries. Released last week by Green for All, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst's Political Economy Research Institute (PERI), the two studies, entitled "Green Prosperity" and "The Economic Benefits of Investing in Clean Energy," highlight the positive effects of investing $150 billion per year in energy-efficient and clean-energy technologies. A portion of these dollars has already been earmarked by the federal stimulus package; also included is funding to come from the Waxman-Markey bill currently working its way through Congress.

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The Small Business Admistration has amended its existing 504 loan program, which was originally created to encourage small- to medium-sized business owners to acquire commercial property by providing them with long-term, fixed-rate financing. One of the biggest accommodations is that these loans required a minimal equity requirement and the size of the loan correlates directly to the borrower's impact on the community, including revitalizing and stimulating local business, improving and diversifying the district, and expanding a minority-, woman-, or veteran-owned business.

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There were two big stories in the automotive industry last week. The first, highly anticipated for months if not years, was the bankruptcy filing of General Motors. The second story, which is not getting nearly as much media attention, is that Toyota Industries announced the launch of the Geneo-Hybrid, the world's first internal combustion, hybrid lift truck.

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A concept borrowed from developers in London and Amsterdam has made its way to Providence, RI with the announcement there of the "Box Office," an office building constructed from 32 used steel shipping containers. Due for completion in 2010 and designed by local architect Truth Box, the Box Office will have 3 stories and 12 separate office and studio units. With construction still to begin, it is nearly 40 percent leased, a huge statement in this economy.

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