For some, Gulf spill is a good thing

Full Story at msnbc.com

Michigan’s depressed economy nearly toppled Grand Rapids-based awning maker Prestige Products. Then in April, the company’s fortunes changed dramatically when executive Brian Rickel got a phone call from an old contact at BP. It was 10 days after BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig had exploded, and BP needed help containing the gush of oil. Six weeks later, Prestige has rented a factory, filled it with millions of dollars of new equipment, and hired 74 workers (it employed only six as of April). Using material similar to the vinyl in awnings, Prestige is churning out 12,000 feet a day of booms, the floating barriers that help contain oil slicks. Prestige hopes to double its output — if it can hire 50 additional workers.