BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF CLEAN, COMPETITIVE American industry

A BETTER model for the buildout of industrial infrastructure

The growth industries of the 21st century — from semiconductors to batteries to green steel — are running up against physical and procedural constraints. To unlock the benefits of this clean industrial revolution in America, we need to create the conditions to actually build modern industries and ensure they deliver for workers and communities.

Our team works with governments, communities, and manufacturers to designate “Advanced Industrial Zones” (AIZs) that proactively align the right ingredients for industrial development. We draw on lessons from around the country and the world to establish AIZs that accelerate project timelines, drive economic development, and create high-quality jobs in the clean industries of the future.
Read our fact sheet

Our Team

  • Jake Higdon - the founding director - wearing safety glasses, a yellow hard hat, and an orange safety jacket, speaking or explaining something with a control room or operations center with multiple monitors and control panels in the background.

    Jake Higdon

    FOUNDING DIRECTOR

  • Noah Deich - senior advisor

    Noah Deich

    STRATEGIC ADVISOR

  • Kate Gordon

    STRATEGIC ADVISOR

  • Headshot of Chirag Lala

    Chirag Lala

    STRATEGIC ADVISOR

  • Adria Wilson

    Adria Wilson

    STRATEGIC ADVISOR

  • Headshot of Costa Samaras

    Costa Samaras

    STRATEGIC ADVISOR

  • Priyanka Mohanty

    STRATEGIC ADVISOR

  • Ryan Donohue

    RYAN DONOHUE

    STRATEGIC ADVISOR

  • Headshot of Will Toaspern

    Will Toaspern

    STRATEGIC ADVISOR

  • Margaret Hansbrough

    Margaret Hansbrough

    STRATEGIC ADVISOR

Who We Are

Our partners

We are actively building out our coalition of like-minded state, community, economic development, and industry partners. If you are passionate about fostering a clean industrial revolution in the United States, please reach out below.
Clean Economy Project

  • MICHIGAN'S ECONOMIC TRANSITION STRATEGY

    “Michigan can strengthen regional competitiveness and accelerate growth in strategic industries by supporting both regional site readiness and the creation of Advanced Industrial Zones…. Within these Zones, the state would align resources, streamline permissions, and coordinate infrastructure, while requiring participating projects to target high-growth, priority sectors and meet high standards for job quality and community stewardship.”

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  • Policy and Political Roadblocks—Not Economics—Are Holding Back America’s Clean Energy Future (NRDC)

    “We’re currently standing at the cusp of what could become a major clean energy manufacturing boom. But to seize it, we need policies and programs that encourage the domestic production of critical components, steady demand signals for industry, and high-quality workforce training programs—including those that create a path from fossil fuel jobs to clean energy jobs. States should consider establishing advanced industrial zones—predesignated areas with coordinated infrastructure, streamlined permitting, and integrated workforce development programs—to create a supportive ecosystem for clean energy manufacturers and to speed deployment.”

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  • 18,000 Reasons It’s So Hard to Build a Chip Factory in America (The New York Times)

    “In Taiwan, TSMC and its suppliers build facilities in dedicated industrial zones that generally require one permit from a central authority. In Arizona, they must negotiate municipal, county, state and federal regulations, requiring thousands of approvals.”

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  • From fragile to resilient: navigating challenges through North America’s industrial revival (KEARNEY)

    ‍”Manufacturing projects routinely encounter delays due to slow-moving permitting processes, limited utility access, and underbuilt industrial infrastructure. In many cases, electricity capacity, wastewater management, or road connectivity are not in place to support advanced production facilities. These bottlenecks extend time-to-production and can significantly erode the business case for reinvestment.”‍ ‍

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Contact Us

Interested in working together? Please provide some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!