City pursuing alternative energy biz

NEW BEDFORD, MASS. (WPRI) - Once a hub of activity as a world famous fishing port, New Bedford is hoping bring jobs back to the waterfront through alternative energy business.

With its ample waterfront space, the Whaling City wants to be at the forefront of off-shore wind energy manufacturing.

Eyewitness News caught up with New Bedford Mayor Jonathan Mitchell, who is actively pursuing the possibility.

"If we play our cards right and it comes together, we'll have one of the first off-shore wind assembly areas in the United States," said Mitchell.

With ships, freighters and wind assembly vessels, the mayor says it's too early to project how many jobs the wind industry would create, but he believes it could some day reach thousands.

As a model for success, Mitchell points to an example from Bremerhaven, Germany.

The port city in the North Sea is similar to New Bedford.

It's seen its share of tough times, but like a breath of fresh air, things started to change with the arrival of a new industry.

"After off-shore wind arrived in northern Europe, Bremerhaven was able to see growth of approximately 25-hundred jobs in a matter of five years," said Mitchell.

Progress like that has a ways to go in New Bedford.

Permit and land issues are still in the works, but the mayor says a decision on the terminal could be made in the next four to five months.