The Energy Future Should Be Made in America — Here’s How We’re Proving It
By: Aron Bowman, President ELM MicroGrid
The Inflation Reduction Act introduced a domestic content bonus that rewards developers for using American-made components. It’s smart policy, and we fully support it. But it’s not why we made this choice.
Manufacturing in the U.S. gives us control over our supply chain, quality, and delivery schedules. It insulates us from geopolitical instability and freight volatility. It also enables faster customization and direct accountability—things that are nearly impossible when systems are assembled across multiple continents.
And perhaps most importantly, it allows us to create real, lasting jobs in communities across the country.
A 27-Year Commitment to American Jobs
ELM MicroGrid is part of the broader ELM Companies organization, which includes ELM Utility Services—one of the largest utility field services providers in the U.S. For over 27 years, ELM has been creating jobs in America through field operations, engineering, and infrastructure deployment. Today, across all of ELM Companies, we employ more than 1,400 people throughout the United States.
That job creation extends beyond our payroll. Our U.S.-based manufacturing drives demand through a domestic supply chain that supports hundreds of additional workers in fabrication, logistics, and materials processing. We view this as both our responsibility and our opportunity—as a company operating in one of the most important sectors of the American economy.
Investing in the Next Generation of Engineers
At ELM, we don’t just focus on today’s workforce—we’re actively building tomorrows. We’ve established partnerships with local universities to provide STEM training and cooperative education opportunities for students pursuing careers in engineering, energy systems, and advanced manufacturing. These co-op and internship programs offer real-world experience while helping build a talent pipeline for one of America’s fastest-growing industries.
Our goal is not only to hire the best talent—but to help develop it—right here in our community.
Giving Back to the Communities We Serve
A strong domestic manufacturing base gives us the stability and capacity to do more than just build systems—we’re also able to give back. ELM proudly supports local and national charitable organizations including the Boys and Girls Club and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. As we grow, we believe our impact should extend beyond the factory floor and into the lives of those who need it most.
Supporting energy resilience is important. So is supporting human resilience.
A Blueprint for the Energy Economy We Want
Too often, we treat clean energy deployment and economic development as separate conversations. But they don’t have to be. When we manufacture clean energy systems in the U.S., we strengthen our grid, our workforce, and our independence—all at once.
At ELM MicroGrid, we’re not just talking about it. We’re building it—system by system, job by job.
It’s time we start measuring progress not only by megawatts installed—but by the number of American workers behind them.
The clean energy future is coming. The question is: will we build it ourselves?
We believe the answer should be yes.
Sponsored By:
