Green Market Exposition in Bridgeport

Bridgeport (WTNH) - From green job training to eco-friendly products, the Green Market Exposition is underway at the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport today.

When you think of the green movement, you probably think people trying to protect the environment. Sure, that is a major component, but these days going green can also be good for your bottomline. It's why new buildings are being built to meet higher green standards.

"Where you'd have certain alternative energy sources and you'd use building products that are friendly and renewable," said Michael Sepanek, EMC.

EMC is an alternative energy company that uses heat sensing technology to assess your home and tell you how you can make it more efficient.

Analiese Paik writes a blog about eating green and says when you buy vegetables from a farmers' market you're helping the farmer, the local economy and your family.

"And when they buy them and they cook them very simply, they realize, this hasn't been sitting on a grocery store shelf for a couple of weeks and it hasn't been sitting in a warehouse - this tastes different," she said.

The idea behind the Green Market Exposition is to show people how they can do better in going green, but it's no coincidence that it's being held here in Bridgeport, because organizers believe this city can revive its economy by becoming a green leader.

"It's pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps," said Remy Chevalier, one of the Green Market's organizers.

Chevalier says Bridgeport has the opportunity to reinvent itself by rediscovering its innovative spirit.

"Now it's all about green manufacturing, about green infrastructure, about having these sound managing practices," he said.

The city's already building a workforce. Its successful Green Team program trains people for so-called green collar jobs. The city has also established a 40-member advisory panel to consider new opportunities.

"Well, it's like I'm back in the 60's again and everybody's idealistic and putting forward ways to fix the world up. So, it's very exciting," said Mayor Bill Finch (D-Bridgeport).

So many opportunities and possibilities that many here hope will one day become reality.