Derek Kilmer Recognized by Tacoma Manufacturer For Creating Jobs
State Senator Derek Kilmer was recognized today by a local green technology company that credits his hard work for allowing them to bring dozens of family-wage manufacturing jobs from Canada and Mexico to Tacoma.
Senator Kilmer, who is endorsed by Rep. Norm Dicks to succeed him as WA’s 6th Congressional District representative, was honored at a ceremony held by Greenwood Clean Energy and attended by Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland to commemorate the return of Greenwood’s manufacturing jobs to Washington and the certification of Greenwood’s residential wood boiler product line in Washington.
Greenwood credits Senator Kilmer for facilitating the certification of their energy-efficient wood boiler in Washington state, which was the only state nationwide where residential wood boilers were not allowed to be sold. Currently, Greenwood has moved its manufacturing operation to Tacoma, where it now has 16 employees. It expects to soon double that number due to the certification.
The event was held at 11am on Monday, August 13 at Tacoma Steel Supply, where Greenwood’s manufacturing facility is located, at 701 East 64th Street in Tacoma.
“Senator Kilmer has a track record as a real job creator, advocate for small businesses, and champion for common sense regulatory reform,” said Michael Kuehner, President of Greenwood Clean Energy. “Senator Kilmer cleared the way for us to bring our manufacturing from Canada and Mexico to Pierce County and unveil our environmentally friendly new product line in Washington, where it will allow middle-class families across the state to warm their homes economically and efficiently.
“That’s why, even though I am not someone who normally gets involved in politics, I am supporting Derek Kilmer’s campaign for Congress. I know Senator Kilmer truly understands the struggles small businesses are facing, and he will deliver the nonpartisan leadership we need to get people back to work and get our economy back on track.”
“It was my honor to help Greenwood Clean Energy reverse the outsourcing trend and bring desperately needed jobs back to Tacoma,” said Senator Kilmer, whose day job is as the Vice President of the Economic Development Board of Tacoma-Pierce County. “We should be rolling out the red carpet for companies that want to invest in our communities, not setting up roadblocks. My priority as a public servant is helping small businesses get people back to work, and that is the focus I intend to bring to Congress.”
For his work in the state legislature, Sen. Kilmer is the three-time recipient of the Washington Economic Development Association’s LEADER of the Year Award and has also been named a “Legislative Business Star” by Enterprise Washington’s Business Institute.
Greenwood Clean Energy manufactures next generation, high-efficiency, wood boilers and wood furnaces for residential space and water heating applications. Greenwood appliances are available through dealers throughout the U.S., Canada, UK, and New Zealand.