While the oil gushing from a well in the Gulf of Mexico threatens to harm the state’s tourism, wildlife and fishing industries, for some Florida business owners it means one thing: tons of money.
Funding for the cleanup effort is flowing almost as freely as the oil in the Gulf, and those companies that specialize in booms, chemical dispersant, hazardous materials training and other spill-related services are positioning themselves for a sustained boom in business.
Oakley Keller, who owns Naples-based American Training Institute, started hosting hazardous materials training courses at the Florida Keys Community College campuses last month, and has seen interest increase consistently since oil began to drift toward Florida’s coasts.
“I’d say [business] has increased 50 to 60 percent because of this event,” Keller said. “It’s keeping us pretty busy.”
Full story: It’s boom times for firms cleaning up oil spill – Gulf Oil Spill – MiamiHerald.com