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[Music] People ask all the time: What is a green job?
This bus behind me is an example of a green job.
Everything in this bus - the way it was manufactured,
the components that are in there - we wouldn't have thought
of in America, maybe ten years ago.
Your story demonstrates what happens
when ordinary people dream big and build big.
Proterra makes electric buses that are able
to be charged in under ten minutes.
We went from about forty employees in June
of this past year in 2010 to about 130 here in Greenville,
and the number is expected to rise to about 250 to 300
by the end of the year.
The help we've received from the FTA and the Department
of Transportation through all
of the last four years has really been an enabler
to make this entire venture happen.
I mean, everybody out on the floor realizes that,
if it wasn't for the government,
none of us would be here right now I don't think.
So, it's helped.
I mean, most of the people I've talked to on the floor,
ninety percent of them were laid off before they came here,
so it's definitely an improvement -
for us and South Carolina.
Mom, when she was working at BMW, she always talked
about getting hired on, but it never happened.
It was more like just getting laid off every time the economy
got really bad.
Life's a little bit easier since I've been here.
I mean, that's honestly...
Before I came here, I lived with my mom, and of course,
I really wanted my own home.
When we first got our house, it was kind of a relief.
Because we had been talking about how bad...
dreaming about this wonderful house that we've always wanted.
And so when we finally got it, it was a big relief.
And Proterra did help a lot.
There's a number of new jobs that have been created.
I would say at least equal to what we've created directly,
we've been creating at other companies here in the region.
If you look at the vehicle, we have over 80%
of the components coming from U.S. suppliers.
I think when you come in when a company first comes,
that it kinda gives you a pride.
Kinda learn to love what you're making.
We're hoping to build a better, greener lifestyle for everybody.
I mean, electric buses - this is...
you know, if this goes forward, this is gonna be history.
When people say what's a green a job?
This is it.
Good transportation, clean transportation,
created by the kind of green,
clean jobs that are taking place right here.
We're Proterra, and we're helping America win the future.
[Music]