Cleantech Trade Group Launches To Start-Up Acclaim

"Of the politicians, businesspeople, and academics who gathered at the governor’s mansion on July 23, the most relieved by far had to be Chris Shapard, executive director of the brand-new Colorado Cleantech Industry Organization. . .

First conceived nearly a year ago, the CCIA seemed at first like a slam dunk: 'When we first starting raising money back in September, everyone said, no problem! As the world economy came to a screeching halt, the road got tougher: some of the trade organization’s members are “on a payment plan,' Shapard said, but the CCIA, formed to lead and catalyze the renewable-energy industry at the heart of Colorado’s New Energy Economy, is now off the drawing board with more than 80 members and strong support from the Governor’s Energy Office, the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory."

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