Green Jobs in Tennessee Small But Growing

Tennessee has a relatively small but growing green jobs sector according to new reports from the state Labor Department and Middle Tennessee State University.

The so-called Green Jobs Report surveyed 6,000 employers, labeling nearly 44,000 jobs in the state as “green.” Nearly a quarter are in construction, with another quarter or so in manufacturing.

The second study quantifies the impact of six major investments, including polysilicon producers, car makers and the West Tennessee Solar Farm.

The total economic impact this year is 9,300 jobs. But nearly half of those employees don’t work directly for Hemlock Semiconductor or Volkswagen, says Martha Wetteman of the state Labor Department.

“The indirect jobs are usually those in the supply chain for the plants, you know, component manufacturing. And the induced jobs are when all of those companies employ people and they spend their money.”

Wetteman says that means some retail jobs are included in the overall figures.

While still a small part of the state’s employment picture, the Labor Department finds green positions are growing more quickly than others at eight percent a year. Leading the pack are solar panel installers and software engineers.

Rae Ellen Bichell contributed to this report.