Mayor Trent Sullivan will welcome a trade mission from the Minnesota Governor at Greater Geelong's Wurriki Nyal civic precinct today where the City's clean economy efforts will be showcased.
The Honourable Tim Walz, Governor of the State of Minnesota is leading the state's first ever trade mission to Australia (10-18 November 2023) to establish new relationships with businesses in clean technology and sustainability, medical technology and health care, higher education and agriculture. The delegation includes 35 organisations in these priority areas.
Minnesota has a growing clean energy and hydrogen ecosystem and is a leader in research and innovation. Delegates representing organisations such as Delta Airlines, Clean Energy Economy Minnesota and Minnesota Trade Office will sit down for a working lunch to learn about the City's Clean Economy Business Support program.
The program works to develop local markets for clean technology and deliver positive economic growth and sustainability outcomes.
It offers access to Clean Economy Grants for scalable demonstration projects and capacity building activities such as ClimateLaunchpad to support new entrants to the market, and stimulates demand for innovative solutions through procurement.
Between 2014-2021, the benefits to the Greater Geelong community included 658 jobs created/maintained, 25 projects initiated, $18.6 million increase in sales, 49 businesses expanded and the attendance of more than 2,000 people at workshops and mentoring sessions.
A second presentation to the trade mission will delve into Cleanaway's hydrogen initiative that is expected to commence operations this year. Cleanaway is a foundation partner in the development of Australia's first publicly accessible, green hydrogen refuelling station for heavy vehicles in Geelong.
Victoria's Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, Minister for Education and Medical Research will speak at tomorrow's welcome event, hosted by Global Victoria in Melbourne.
Mayor Sullivan
It will be an honour to meet with the Minnesota Governor's delegation this afternoon.
Our working lunch is an unmissable opportunity to showcase the region as a leader in clean technology and innovation as we work towards a low carbon future.
It will be fantastic to meet with Minnesota organisations also focused on sustainability and I look forward to connecting with Governor Tim Walz at tomorrow night's Welcome Reception and learning about Minnesota and its economy.
Council hopes this valuable trade mission will pave the way for mutually beneficial relationships to develop that have the potential to attract investment and create local jobs.
Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken
Innovation is critical to create jobs as we transition to a clean economy.
Greater Geelong has world-class advanced manufacturing facilities, research and development facilities and educational programs, as well as businesses looking for opportunities to diversify.
These are all factors that make us the place to be for local, national and international cleantech and circular economy businesses.
