Geelong's thriving cleantech industry has been showcased to a visiting delegation from Louisiana and New Orleans during a working lunch at Wurriki Nyal civic precinct today.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM welcomed the six leaders from World Trade Center New Orleans, Greater New Orleans Inc, Louisiana Economic Development (LED), Port of South Louisiana, and Regions Financial Corporation after their site tour of Geelong Port and Viva Energy.
The cities have a growing reputation as a hub for international trade, energy innovation, infrastructure development, and business growth.
Brought to Australia by trade and investment advisory Foley, the group is taking meetings in Geelong, Melbourne and Sydney to establish relationships with innovative Australian cleantech and energy sector companies that are interested in expanding operations and investing internationally. The senior executives are particularly interested in batteries, hydrogen, biofuels, and critical minerals.
Over the past 20 years, Australian companies have invested more than $4.76 billion ($3 billion USD) into Louisiana, creating nearly 2,500 jobs. Australia is Louisiana's 5th largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) projects over that same time.
A number of Geelong businesses and organisations networked with the delegation today, including:
- Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong – various members have an interest in US markets in clean economy;
- Sequence Digital/Rhino Instruments – recipient of the City's Clean Economy Grant gaining accreditation for a product innovation that extends the life of lithium-ion batteries using circular economy principles;
- The Gordon TAFE – the educational institution has a clean economy capability statement outlining the ways in which it is building regional capabilities in the clean economy;
- Barwon Water – showcased clean economy innovations they've been developing for their operations and through their consulting arm Barwon Asset Solutions; and
- Boomaroo Nurseries – another Clean Economy Grant recipient using an Artificial Intelligence (AI) enhanced system to increase the energy efficiency of the heating and cooling in its plant growing facilities.
Mayor Kontelj
International delegations to our municipality have been steadily increasing year on year.The delegation is on a mission to network with Geelong companies and organisations which could lead to investment and job growth as they continue their transition to a sustainable energy future.
Today's working lunch was an unmissable opportunity to promote our region as a leader in advanced manufacturing and innovation and pave the way for mutually beneficial relationships to develop.
Together, the region is working towards the vision of establishing our region as a Centre of Excellence for the advanced manufacturing in Australia.
Cr Elise Wilkinson
This valuable trade mission was an opportunity to showcase our Clean Economy Grant recipients and networks.Expanding the clean economy is paramount for Geelong to reach its full potential, as recognised in the City's economic development plan Geelong on the Rise a Clever and Creative International City - 2024-2034.
The City proudly provides a business and industry support program to develop markets for clean economy solutions and last year marked the 10-year anniversary of this support.
Between 2014-2021, this program led to 658 jobs being created/maintained, an $18.6 million increase in sales and the start of 25 projects.
The clean economy encompasses initiatives, practices and products which address climate change mitigation and adaptation; supporting the development of renewable energy generation, storage and transmission; and enabling the transition to a circular economy.
Clean economy opportunities include investments into innovations, and advanced manufacturing.
