DED releases results of first green jobs survey

A new study shows that nearly 5 percent of Missouri's employment - more than 130,000 jobs - is tied to the green jobs sector.

Industries covered in the survey conducted by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center included building, energy production, waste management, farming and manufacturing.

Nearly half of the companies surveyed said they produce or install green goods, research or develop green projects or supply green services. About 9 percent of the Missouri employers polled indicated that they plan to start offering green products and services in 2010.

The state's green building sector accounted for the largest share of activity and employment in green jobs at 19 percent, followed by green energy production (19 percent) and green manufacturing (13 percent). Green farming, with just 3 percent of the state's existing green economy, is seeing growth as interest rises in biofuels, sustainable forestry and organic foods, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

"The survey tells us that the potential size and scope of the green economy is vast," said DED Director David Kerr in the release. "This makes building the green economy a very promising economic development strategy, offering additional job prospects for Missourians."

The green job sector isn't without challenges, the survey found. Most polled employers, 71 percent, said the economic slowdown is the biggest barrier to hiring more workers, although they also noted that there are plenty of interested prospects for green jobs.