Renewable energy is the name of the game, and an increase in demand in the field has many jumping in. The Eastern Iowa Community College District started a new renewable energy program this August. There are about 45 students in it right now that are training for jobs in wind, solar and biofuel technologies. Directors say graduates will be extremely marketable in a business that is really taking flight.

"It's a good field to get into now. Times are tough. It's an easy way to save money," said Eric Winter, a student in the program.

Whether for building a wind tower or installing solar panels, professors say the demand for skilled technicians is growing.

"There's two things driving it. One, all the publicity from all the money the federal government is putting into it, and the unemployment rate," said professor Kyle Harris.

About 10 additional students enroll every 8 weeks and begin the classes out-right in the two year program. Many students are either looking for extra schooling or even beginning a completely new career. Like Craig Nelson who worked in manufacturing for 28 years.

"I'm unemployed so this looked like the new field to go into," said Nelson.

Nelson said he chose wind energy because, with Iowa being number two in the country in wind energy, he likes where the field is headed and where it can take him.

"Hopefully running my own business and doing installation of solar panels and wind turbines," added Nelson.

Locally, opportunities in solar and wind businesses are abundant.

"Companies like Think Green and The Root Cellar are out there right now and actually trying to steal my students away before they finish the program," said Ryan Light, Director for Renewable Energy.

There may be some major projects in the works soon, including a wind farm in Clinton County. If it takes flight it could create up to 200 construction jobs in the next few years.

"If Clinton goes ahead it will be a great impact on the economy locally and having jobs put out there for the technicians and maintenance folks and even the construction jobs to build those turbines," added Light.

The Clinton County wind farm is still in the planning stages. More than 85 landowners are talking with a company to build about 150 wind turbines there within the next 5 to 10 years.