Mecklenburg County Issues $81.1 MILLION Budget Cut

There has been no shortage of synonyms created for our current economic climate. Economists, financiers, Congress, and world leaders have penned it such names as “The Great Recession,” “The Economic Armageddon,” and more.  Since 2006 the American housing and business market has been falling to unparalleled lows not seen since the Great Depression.  State and local governments are receiving the brunt of the impact and are responding by cutting budgets, public programs, and jobs.

This past week, Mecklenburg County in Charlotte, NC announced an $81.1 million budget cut.  Mecklenburg County’s resolution has been to close and/or combine schools, libraries, recreation centers, workforce development training programs, and much more. “In all, about 440 county employees could lose their jobs – managers, maintenance workers, code enforcers, computer specialists and others.” The school district is slated “for a $21.3 million cut, or 6.6 percent below what the district received this year” and would include “laying off 1,000 teachers and other school employees.” [1]

The renewable energy industry is charging forward to show the public and the government that better, long lasting solutions exist that can aid in preventing such drastic financial changes in the future.  SolTherm is leading the renewable industry with cost-cutting solar solutions.  The primary benefit of which is reduced operating costs; leaving more revenue in hand for companies and governments to retain both employees and crucial development programs.  At a time when scientists are stating that the world environment is nearing a critical threshold toward global warming; solar thermal and photovoltaic installations have been proven to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase fossil fuel independence and produce renewable energy.

Educating the public and government officials on the benefits of renewable technology continues to be the number one priority of the renewable industry. We at SolTherm work passionately towards being the change we wish to see in the world.

References:

[1]  http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/05/20/1446332/cuts-layoffs-will-be-far-reaching.html#ixzz129IS0KFH