What recession? Seattle energy-conservation firm is hiring hundreds

"Let's hear it for our friends at the Sightline Institute, whose blog brought to our attention the fact that McKinstry Co., a Seattle mechanical construction and engineering firm known for finding ways to save energy, is bucking national and regional economic trends.

McKinstry plans to hire some 500 additional workers and expand its facilities in the south Seattle community of Georgetown. McKinstry was launched as a plumbing company decades ago. But it's expanded a lot. Today, a fast-growing part of the business is identifying ways to make buildings more energy-efficient, and helping clients finance the improvements..."