A proposed wind energy turbine plant for Santa Paula could be among the first steps toward making the Tri-Counties in the Silicon Valley of alternative energy, business and economic development leaders said.

Santa Barbara-based Continental Wind Power, a startup planning to build mid-sized wind energy turbines, said June 29 that it has chosen the Heritage Valley city as the site for a manufacturing facility it hopes could create up to 500 green jobs.

That move would make Continental the second significant wind energy company in the region – Carpinteria’s Clipper Windpower has designed the world’s largest offshore turbines – and would place the young company among handful of large employers that have focused on alternative energy. Business and economic leaders say the region could begin generating the critical mass needed to make the Tri-Counties a go-to location for green businesses.

The full version of this story is only available to print subscribers. To view everything the Business Times offers, see this week’s print version or SUBSCRIBE for $49.99 today.