RAPAD US MISSION
SWEETWATER, TEXAS
Hosted by Sweetwater Economic Development (SEED) the mission delegation had a great opportunity to discuss and explore a wide range of aspects when it comes to attracting investment, diversifying industry and ensuring benefits are delivered to a regional community - from manufacturing and maintenance to landholders’ legal rights and employment growth.
Find out more about what’s happening in Sweetwater at: sweetwatertexas.net
Lessons from Sweetwater,Texas
History, drivers and impact of renewable energy transition in Sweetwater, Texas
Why Sweetwater?
Sweetwater is the county seat of Nolan County, located in a 31-county region of West Central Texas known as the ‘Big Country’ of Texas. For our delegates, it was the complete package when it comes to understanding the impact renewable energy and associated industry can bring to a regional community.
It’s fast become the home of a growing wind and solar energy sector and also hosts the main campus for West Texas State Technical College (TSTC) which added the first community college wind-energy program in Texas in 2007.
Sweetwater Economic Development
Similar to RAPAD, SEED aims to promote opportunities for their region. Faced with declining population and economic growth, SEED has been a driving force behind securing opportunities presented by renewable energy to transform the area into a recognised renewable energy hub. https://sweetwatertexas.net
Miesha Adames, Executive Director
Supporting jobs and industry through training in wind technology maintenance
Texas State Technical College (TSTC) - Wind Energy Program
Texas State Technical College System is a coeducational two-year institution of higher education offering courses of study in technical vocational education for which there is demand within the State of Texas. It contributes to the educational and economic development of the State of Texas by offering occupationally oriented programs with supporting academic course work, emphasising highly specialised advanced and emerging technical and vocational areas for certificates or associate degrees.
Find out more about how Sweetwater and Texas are leading the way in wind energy technology training and career development: www.tstc.edu/programs/windenergytechnology
Billie Jones, Wind Energy Technology Instructor
Wind Law in the US: benefits and rights as a landholder with renewable energy projects
Wetsel, Allen & Lederle, LLP
Located in Sweetwater, Wetsel, Allen, & Lederle, LLP (WAL), brings West Texas values to the wide world of energy law. The attorneys of WAL are acknowledged leaders in the field of energy law. Landowners and energy companies turn to WAL for assistance with oil and gas projects. Other lawyers often call upon them to testify as expert witnesses in ongoing litigation. In fact, Roderick Wetsel has been certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialisation as an oil, gas and mineral law specialist since 1989. Find out more about his practice at: www.wal.law
Rod Wetsel, Attorney and Professor of Wind Law
Growing a local business in the renewable energy sector
WETS Inc (Wind Energy Turbine Services)
WETS, Inc. is headquartered in Sweetwater, Texas, the epicentre of the wind energy boom. Sweetwater is the county seat of Nolan County, located in a 31 county region of West Central Texas known as the “Big Country” of Texas. “Whether we can see your wind farm from our front windows or a trans-Atlantic flight, WETS,inc technicians are ready for dispatch anywhere in world.”
Find out more about WETS, Inc. at: www.wetsinc.net
Mark Meneses, Co-owner