There is no way around it.   This is more than likely the worst economic climate you have lived through.   But Monday, I was inspired by a small Pennsylvania town that gave me great hope for green jobs and what it can do for America.

I was with our client, Serious Materials, and Governor Edward Rendell in a suburb of Pittsburgh – Vandergrift, Pennsylvania.   We were there to re-open a windows plant that had been closed by its previous owners and where the workers have been hired back to begin producing energy-efficient windows.

I’m not here to plug my client.   What I am here to do is to share with you the way the economy has hit in American towns across the nation, and how their spirit and determination to make a change is a great lesson for us all.   I have been working on this event for weeks and have been taken aback by the stories I’ve heard.   But as I was driving in from Pittsburgh it really hit home.

The thing that really struck me was when one of the rehired employees, Robin Scott, took the podium and talked about the green movement.  He said, “This is more than just a job to me.  It’s also doing our small part in this tiny corner of America to move this country forward, I’m not a Treehugger by any means, but even I know we have to change.  We can’t leave the world the way it is now.  So if we can get this green movement going here in Vandergrift, then that is what I wanna see!”

It doesn’t matter how or why these people became a part of the green movement, the only thing that matters is that they now embrace it.  Being green is no longer a California thing or a hippie thing, it is just the right thing to do for ourselves and the many generations that will follow us.

There has been some debate over the effectiveness of green jobs. But I’ve seen first hand the difference and the positive influence green jobs can have on our country,  on our small towns and on our environment.  Ultimately, I was inspired by the people and their drive to make a positive change. The people in Vandergrift have given me a gift – the gift of perspective.   One I will take with me for the rest of my life.

If you were watching the State of the Union last night, you no doubt heard President Obama’s strong message of America leading the development of cleantech. He encouraged America to “lead again” – meaning we should keep clean jobs here in America and not ship them outside of our borders. He said we will put “Americans to work making our homes and buildings more efficient so that we can save billions of dollars on our energy bills.”

Green building in particular is thriving in America right now. Michael Kanellos of Greentech Media said it best yesterday, “For green building companies, the good times have just begun.”  Everyday there are announcements of new products, new customers and yes, even new green collar jobs. A press release came across my desk this morning, with the headline “Green Building is the Economy’s Bright Spot.”  One of our clients, Serious Materials recently announced the creation of green jobs.  If you work solely in green building, it may even be hard to admit there is a major recession going on right now.

Green jobs aren’t the only things that can change our economic challenges. The economic stimulus bill that passed last week will play a large role in saving energy and money for Americans. As part of the plan, you and I can get tax breaks for installing energy efficient windows, doors and appliances.  If there was ever a time for upgrades, now is that time.

I for one was encouraged by the President last night, especially when he spoke about how “now is the time to act boldly and wisely – to not only revive this economy, but to build a new foundation for lasting prosperity.”  Part of that new foundation includes  investment in green energy and building. It is a great feeling to hear the promise of energy-efficiency and savings making an impact on the mainstream society. It’s true, there is hope.