Governor Bredesen, Hemlock CEO Doornbos to Keynote ’09 Governor's Conference
Released on Wed, Aug 05, 2009 - 2:11 pm under
Annual Conference to Spotlight Growth Potential of Clean Technologies
NASHVILLE — Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber today announced that Governor Phil Bredesen and the President and CEO of Hemlock Semiconductor Group, Rick Doornbos will be the keynote speakers for the 2009 Governor’s Conference on Economic and Community Development September 14 and 15, 2009 at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.
“Governor Bredesen and I are pleased a nationally recognized business leader like Rick Doornbos has agreed to take part in our upcoming conference,” said Commissioner Kisber. “As we position Tennessee for the nation’s economic recovery, conference attendees will have a valuable opportunity to hear from a range of business leaders and site selection consultants about what industries will drive job growth and investment in the years ahead.”
“Because of the vision of Governor Bredesen and Commissioner Kisber, I believe Tennessee is poised to play a leadership role in the development of jobs related to clean technologies,” said Doornbos. “I’m looking forward to sharing my perspective on how we can maximize the creation of good paying jobs in this sector in the years ahead.”
Representatives from Hemlock Semiconductor and its majority shareholder Dow Corning recently visited the White House along with a number of customers and companies across the solar value chain to discuss steps aimed at making America a leader in the manufacture of solar technologies and the reduction of greenhouse gases. The group presented the Obama administration with a four point plan which included suggestions in the area of legislation, research and development, education and training and “leadership by example” on the part of the federal government.
In June, the Pew Center for the States named Tennessee one of the top three states in the nation for potential creation of future clean energy technology jobs. In addition to Doornbos, the conference will feature breakout sessions with Dr. Thom Mason, director, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Robert Pittman, senior principal, Janus Economics, Ed McCallum, senior principal, McCallum-Sweeney, Michael Cutri, managing director, Cushman & Wakefield, Bob Robers, VP, Jones, Lang, LaSalle and Mark Williams, president, Strategic Development Group.
Mr. Doornbos will keynote the Commissioner’s Luncheon at noon on September 14 and Governor Bredesen will keynote the Governor’s Luncheon at noon September 15, followed by a photo session with ECD’s 2009 Three-Star and Tennessee Main Street certified communities.
Some of the topics for the 2009 Governor’s Conference on Economic and Community Development include:
- How Green Are My Incentives -- a look at incentive programs for clean technology jobs
- Do Prospects Notice When I Tweet? -- using social media to communicate in economic development
- Clean Energy Heats Up the Job Market -- how investing in the clean energy sector will create jobs and transform our economy
- The ABC’s of IDB’s -- a legal framework for setting up more effective industrial development boards and megasite authorities
- How Site Selectors Use Data Mining -- making sure your Web site draws attention when site selectors search
- Your New Jobs May be Homegrown -- supporting entrepreneurs in your community
A full list of conference topics is available, along with registration information on the ECD home page at www.tnecd.gov. Advance registration is $200 ($175 for spouses) with early registration closing September 4, 2009. Registration for rooms at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel is also available through the conference Web site. A discounted room rate of $117 per night will be available through Aug. 14, 2009.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to create higher skilled, better paying jobs for all Tennesseans. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. To find out more, go to www.tnecd.gov.
About Hemlock Semiconductor Group
The Hemlock Semiconductor Group (hscpoly.com) – Hemlock Semiconductor – is comprised of two joint ventures: Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation and Hemlock Semiconductor, L.L.C. The companies are joint ventures of Dow Corning Corporation, Shin-Etsu Handotai and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation. Hemlock Semiconductor is a leading provider of polycrystalline silicon and other silicon-based products used in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices and solar cells and modules. Hemlock Semiconductor began its Michigan operations in 1961 and broke ground at its Tennessee location in 2009.
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Contact: Mark Drury, ECD Office: (615) 532-8880 Cell: (615) 330-7587 E-mail: mark.drury@tn.gov
Contact: Leslie Orozco Hemlock Semiconductor Corp. Office: (989) 301-6100 E-mail: leslie.orozco@dowcorning.com
