In this column we are excited to highlight the vibrant economic development opportunities related to sustainability in the Southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.  These states have historically lagged in comparison to other regions such as the Northeast and Northwest in terms of developing and legislating new sustainability initiatives, but this is changing quickly.  Opportunities in the Southeast for green technologies abound as these states and their municipalities embrace the green revolution to bring increased economic development to the region and improve the quality of life of their fast growing populations.   
 
In the last two decades, the economy of the Southeastern United States has changed dramatically. It has seen a boom in its service manufacturing base, high technology industries, and the financial sector. Examples of this include numerous new automobile production plants; the two largest research parks in the country--Research Triangle in North Carolina and the Cummings Research Park in Alabama (the world's fourth largest); Atlanta, dubbed the capitol of the New South by many, is the home of the world's busiest passenger airport, Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, as well as the Headquarters for 13 Fortune 500 companies; and the corporate headquarters of major banking corporations.  This economic expansion has enabled parts of the South to boast of some of the highest GDP and lowest unemployment rates in the United States.  Read More>>