Study sees green in Santa Barbara County
A recently commissioned Santa Barbara County workforce study reveals that jobs in the green sector may play a leading role in the county’s employment outlook.
The study, completed in September by BW Research Partnership for the Santa Barbara County Workforce Investment Board, took a broad look at the county’s workforce, economic impacts and future employment needs. It also looked at what the green sector could do for the county’s economy and workforce if the region continues to lead in green sector development.
The green economy already plays a significant role in Santa Barbara County’s economy — 39 percent of employers surveyed for the study indicated that at least a quarter of their business was focused on clean or green products or services.
Josh Williams, principal researcher with BW Research, said that in the shortrun, green building and utilities will pave the way for the county’s green sector. But agriculture, which is a large component of the tri-county economy, looks more promising for the long-run.
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