Outside of the turbine, the biggest short-term opportunity from being first in the water is creating the “know-how” value chain with skilled workers and companies. The job possibilities range from vessel captains to turbine technicians. Among some of the less obvious jobs are divers, cable specialists, shipbuilding, and geologists. The foundation for a turbine alone, currently presumed to be a gravity base foundation is a massive structure requiring commodities like rebar, sand, and concrete and a large labor force.

From start to finish, a report by PMSS, "Life of an Offshore Wind Farm " offers an in-depth look at what kind of jobs and skills are required to build a project.

A  recent study estimates the potential economic impact of not only the initial pilot project, but also subsequent offshore wind deployment. Key industries expected to enjoy the most growth: construction, machinery manufacturing, fabricated metal manufacturing, water transportation, professional and technical services, electrical equipment manufacturing, plastics products manufacturing and primary metals manufacturing. In addition, research and development related activities are already underway with Ohio's colleges and universities and continued support of Ohio's role in wind energy will help attract and keep a skilled workforce in Northeast Ohio.