Ready to Compete: Building a Workforce for the Clean Energy Economy

As clean energy jobs continue to surge, chambers and economic development groups face a key question: How do we ensure our communities are ready to compete — and ready to be chosen by site selection consultants?

In 2023, LG Energy Solution announced it would quadruple its original investment in a battery manufacturing plant in Queen Creek, Arizona, bringing its total planned spend to $5.5 billion. This massive project will create thousands of high-quality jobs and is set to become the largest stand-alone battery complex in North America.

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), Arizona’s statewide economic development agency, recently joined LG Energy Solution for a ribbon-cutting for the new training center.

Alyssa Tufts, Vice President of Public Relations at the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), spoke about what it takes to build the workforce for an investment of this scale. “When a new company selects Arizona, the company starts recruiting very early—way before they build,” Tufts explained. 

In the case of LG Energy Solution, the ACA played a leadership role by launching Future 48, a statewide workforce accelerator network focused on training for high-growth industries like advanced manufacturing and clean energy.

Future 48 is part of a broader statewide network that includes Drive 48, which was launched when Lucid Motors opened its electric vehicle factory in Casa Grande. Both Future 48 and Drive 48 are public-private partnerships designed to make sure Arizona has the skilled workforce employers need today—and tomorrow. (as an aside, ’48’ is a nod to the lower 48 states.)  

The Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce, the City of Casa Grande, and Pinal County were at the table early, advocating for and supporting Drive 48 alongside local and state partners. These training programs didn’t start from scratch—they built on Arizona’s strong network of community colleges to leverage to develop the skills employers need. In fact, when it comes to clean energy workforce development, most states already have existing programs in place that cover advanced manufacturing, electrical, and energy work.

The takeaway for chambers and economic development leaders is clear: investments like LG’s don’t just happen. They go where the workforce is ready. Chambers and economic development organizations play a critical role in advocating for smart workforce policy, securing funding, and ensuring that colleges and training centers have the resources to deliver. Clean energy is a transformative economic opportunity, but only communities prepared to meet workforce needs will capture the jobs and investment.

Chambers Take Clean Energy Message to Capitol Hill with Jobs, Investments, and Economic Growth at Stake

Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) was back in Washington, D.C. on June 17, alongside chambers of commerce from across the country, making the business case for clean energy. As Congress considers the future of key clean energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), chamber leaders are delivering a clear message: clean energy means local jobs, stronger regional economies, and billions in investment nationwide. 

CICE brought real-world economic insights directly to Capitol Hill from chamber leaders representing the Ohio Chamber, Greater Cleveland Partnership, and the Greater Winston-Salem Chamber. 

The Senate Finance Committee’s version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA, which was released the same day CICE’s delegation arrived) made some improvements over the House bill but still raised serious concerns for chambers focused on jobs and regional investment. Phasing out tax credits for wind and solar earlier than for other technologies threatens to slow the billions in private investment these projects bring to communities—investments that drive economic growth, strengthen local businesses, and expand the tax base. New supply chain restrictions in the bill also make it harder for American manufacturers to compete, especially those who produce and assemble components under one roof, risking sending jobs and investment overseas just as chambers are working to attract clean energy manufacturing and supply chain investments to their regions.

Chambers of commerce and economic development organizations have seen firsthand how clean energy projects can strengthen regional economies and support a strong workforce. Extending these credits through at least 2029 is critical to sustaining that momentum.

Clean energy development means new demand for local goods and services, from contractors to restaurants and retailers. But without smart, long-term policy that keeps domestic production strong, communities stand to lose out on thousands of jobs and millions in investment. 

If you’re a chamber or economic development leader who wants to learn more about what these changes mean for your community, join us in a future D.C. fly-in, or find out how to support clean energy projects in your community, please contact Rob Bradham, CICE’s Director of Policy.

Chambers of commerce have a unique role to play as the voice of business. Now is the time to make sure clean energy policy continues working for American businesses and communities.

Arizona Chambers and Business Leaders Highlight Clean Energy Incentives in Roundtable with Rep. Ciscomani

On June 6, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE), in partnership with four area chambers of commerce/economic development groups hosted a roundtable discussion with U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06), bringing together Arizona business leaders to discuss the future of clean energy tax incentives.  

The conversation focused on the economic importance of the clean energy tax credits, which are currently under review in the Senate. In late May, the House passed its version of the Budget Bill that eliminates most of the economic development support for clean energy. It is now in the hands of the Senate and will return to the House once revised. 

Participants aimed to provide additional data and evidence on the jobs and investment at risk if these tax credits are repealed. Arizona’s 6th Congressional District is home to a growing clean energy economy, with significant momentum in solar energy, battery storage, and EV manufacturing—supported by supply chains in areas such as mining. These industries also drive indirect job growth, benefitting local restaurants, retail, and service businesses that support a thriving regional economy.  

Rep. Ciscomani, whose district includes a fast-growing clean energy sector, acknowledges the impact of these credits on local economies. “The clean energy tax credits can accelerate everything from manufacturing to energy independence,” he said, encouraging attendees to continue providing data that demonstrates the positive economic impact of the sector.  

Rob Elias, President of the Southern Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, shared input he is receiving from the business community. “Four things brought to us by our member businesses in regard to the clean energy tax credits include the boost to our economic competitiveness, reduced energy costs for families, grid reliability, and the protection of public health and the environment.”

Lucid Motors, one of the businesses represented at the roundtable, is creating 3,000 new manufacturing jobs in the Casa Grande area. Scott Matus, Manager of Public Policy, emphasized the urgency of maintaining U.S. leadership in the global economy. “We're in a global tech race right now. We need to compete with China, and I think everyone in Congress agrees with that notion. We need to win these sectors of the future, including transportation and energy.”

As Arizona continues to emerge as a hub for clean energy innovation, chamber leaders and business voices remain focused on the policies that support continued investment, job growth, and economic opportunity across the state.

San Francisco Chambers of Commerce - fostering innovation, leading on clean energy, and supporting the business community

Led by the San Francisco Chamber with support from partners Citibank, Deloitte, Salesforce and the World Economic Forum, the Yes SF program launched in 2023 as a place-based innovation challenge attracting and supporting clean energy and climate tech companies in downtown San Francisco. 

With the recent launch of the second challenge, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce expanded its support for innovators. 12 Top Innovators were selected from over 150 applicants for their world-leading innovations. 

Along the way, the Chamber established a meeting and coworking space in the heart of downtown San Francisco. The space hosts events for startups, small businesses, and San Franciscans invested in the future of their city and interested in clean energy, climate tech, and sustainability.   There is a lively coffee bar at the front, collaboration space in the middle, and co-working/private meeting spaces in the back.

Through Yes SF, the Chamber is supporting today’s visionary startup businesses that will become the high growth companies of tomorrow.  Many of the SF Chamber members connect with the innovators to advise them on business strategies and help overcome obstacles to growth. Chamber members may even incorporate one of the new innovations within their established business to differentiate from competitors.  As the driver of the YesSF program, the Chamber is a visible leader to its members, potential new members, and the entire business community of San Francisco.  

Of particular interest to Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy, advancing the business case for clean energy, are the Urban Mobility & Electrification and Clean Energy Infrastructure companies (the full cohort is listed below).  To learn more about these innovators in this year’s challenge, click here for the YesSF homepage.

Urban Mobility & Electrification

Chargewheel (mobile EV charging)

ElectricFish (energy storage + fast EV charging)

Stak Mobility (automated EV parking & charging)

Voltpost (retrofitted lamppost EV chargers)

Climate Tech & Clean Energy Infrastructure

Xendee (microgrid design + optimization)

Volt Air Technologies (climate control and clean energy)

Evergrow (carbon offtake financing platform)

Sustainable Architecture & Construction Tech

Airbuild (prefab/retrofit modular building systems)
Kit switch (interior retrofit kits)

Circular Economy & Waste Innovation

Clement Packaging (plant-based packaging) 

Re-nuble (food waste → ag inputs)

Materials Innovation
Gaestar (clay-based single-use cups)

CICE and Chamber Leaders Head to DC to Defend Clean Energy Tax Credits

On May 12, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) brought chamber leaders from across the country to Washington, D.C. for a series of timely and strategic meetings with members of Congress and their staff.

Their message was clear and urgent: the clean energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are driving job creation, investment, and economic growth, and Congress needs to protect them.

The visit came at a pivotal moment. That same afternoon, House Ways and Means Republicans released a draft markup of the “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” which proposed sweeping changes to the IRA’s clean energy tax credits.

Our delegation was able to provide immediate, informed feedback on the proposed changes, while staying focused on the bigger picture: clean energy investments are driving regional competitiveness, revitalizing communities, and strengthening American manufacturing.

Read: CICE’s Statement on Proposed Rollback of Clean Energy Tax Credits.

By bringing real-world economic insights directly to Capitol Hill from business leaders in states including Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Illinois, it was clear: clean energy tax credits are vital economic development tools for sustaining growth and opportunity.

Hours after the delegation departed, more than a dozen Republican members of Congress issued a public statement urging changes to the proposed legislation that closely aligned with the points raised by chamber leaders during their visits, signaling bipartisan recognition of the importance of clean energy investment plays in strengthening American competitiveness.

This bill is far from final, and CICE will continue convening chamber and economic development leaders to share research, elevate business perspectives, and support informed decision-making on Capitol Hill. We anticipate returning to DC next month for additional conversations.

If you’re a chamber or economic development leader interested in joining us in a future DC fly-in, our analysis of the proposed changes to these economic development tax credits, or supporting clean energy in your community, please contact Rob Bradham, CICE’s Director of Policy, at rbradham@chambersforinnovation.com.

Now is the time to make sure clean energy policy continues working for American businesses and communities.