Fellow Capstone | “Build Clean Indiana”: A vision to bring top talent, business opportunities to Indiana
George Gemelas is a Class V Year 2 MDLF Fellow who’s working on his capstone “Build Clean Indiana.” He is the COO of the Climate Solutions Fund, and this year’s MDLF ‘Outstanding Fellow.’
I wasn’t sure if Indiana was the place for me to jumpstart my career when I moved back some two years ago. I’m a young professional hoping to be on the cutting-edge in the energy and climate space and, looking at what was going on in the state, I thought it would be challenging, to say the least, to find any number of people agitating around these topics.
Boy was I wrong.
As I’ve rooted myself back in Indiana, there has been no shortage of business leaders, farmers, and manufacturers who are eyeing - or already moving with - the transition to a clean economy. One-of-a-kind rare earth metals recycler? Here in Indiana. An entire ecosystem of ag and ag tech innovators? Here in Indiana. One the largest wind farms in the country, the largest to-be US solar project, and advanced nuclear energy exploration? Right here in Indiana.
This growing hum of activity here in the state is against the backdrop of a rapidly exploding universe of opportunities for the clean economy – companies popping up, new technologies in development, new careers emerging. Billions upon billions in investment is landing, with more coming down the pike.
That’s why I decided to launch “Build Clean Indiana.” Indiana should not miss out on the incoming wave, and especially because Indiana has attributes that would make it an excellent choice for all this: our business-friendly climate, our manufacturing prowess and agricultural strength, and our straight-shooting, pragmatic approach.
This project chiefly takes the form of a public engagement campaign to accelerate the momentum that’s already underway. It will spotlight budding ventures in Indiana so that we can identify and be proud of uniquely Hoosier approaches to these topics. It will also spotlight opportunity areas for further growth, so that our leaders and the public can envision Indiana’s role in the wave to a clean economy.
To achieve this, we will work with news leaders to amplify coverage of what’s happening, put forth commentary and media ourselves to present a Hoosier angle to this activity, and also convene leaders across the state to break the ice around these topics. In doing this, we hope to help Indiana find its own voice, allow conversations to flow freely, and chart its own course.
A key added bonus of this campaign is that it will help in Indiana’s quest to attract top talent. Entrepreneurs and young talent are looking for places that will allow them to flourish as this space grows. Whether about ag, manufacturing, energy or otherwise, we should tell our story, signaling very clearly that Indiana is a place to be.
As the world moves forward, Indiana can be a laggard or it can leverage its best to meet the moment. On these critical topics, we can - and must. Thanks to the MDLF fellowship, I’ve been inspired to action, to challenge preconceptions of what is possible and forge ahead. That is what “Build Clean Indiana” is all about.
To contribute to my capstone, please share the following with us at buildcleanindiana@gmail.com:
-Put relevant examples on our radar
-Share history of Indiana’s environmental leadership
-Connect us to business leaders interested in this space
-Donate to help support our capacity and programing
