Deadline Fast Approaching WASHINGTON, DC, January 15, 2009: BCLC, in partnership with the Siemens Corporation, will honor three U.S. communities with the 2009 Siemens Sustainable Community Awards. One small, medium, and large community each will receive an award.
The nomination deadline for the awards is fast-approaching—all submissions must be received by 5:00 Eastern Time on Friday, January 30, 2009.
"We know that there are many communities across the nation tackling the sustainability challenge," said BCLC Executive Director Stephen Jordan. "I encourage officials from businesses, chambers, academic institutions, community organizations, and government and economic development agencies to share success stories by nominating their community's efforts to improve the economic, environmental, and social outlook."
By BCLC's definition, a sustainable community has committed to setting and achieving complementary economic, environmental, and social goals that will help build long-term competitiveness and success. The criteria for award submissions are:
- Overarching Sustainability: The community must demonstrate superior strategic thinking about goals and outcomes; incorporate innovative processes, tools, equipment, materials; and improve the quality of life for residents
- Green Sustainability: The community must reduce its environmental footprint and demonstrate superior design
- Economic Sustainability: The community must enhance local business competitiveness and incorporate partnerships and stakeholder involvement, including a formal partner from the business community
- Michael Gallis, principal of Michael Gallis & Associates and renowned sustainable-development expert
- Joel Kotkin, author and internationally recognized authority on economic, political, and social trends
- Kellie McElhaney, executive director of the Center for Responsible Business at the Haas School of Business, University of California–Berkley
- Aaron Nelson, president & CEO of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce (2008 award winner)
- Glenn Prickett, senior vice president of Conservation International
In the midsize-community category, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber accepted the award for creating the Foundation for a Sustainable Community, which invests in business and community resources to promote and advance environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic prosperity.
And small-community winner Kingsport, Tennessee, won for its efforts in the last decade to revitalize the manufacturing town through a combination of training/workforce development, entrepreneurism, and diversification of the economic base.
The 2009 award winners will be announced on the evening of May 4th during BCLC's National Conference on U.S. Community Development in Chicago, Illinois.
To nominate your community by the January 30th deadline, visit BCLC's website to access the nomination kit and further details.
BCLC is a 501(c)(3) affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is dedicated to advancing better business and society relations and improving social and economic conditions. BCLC's National Conference on U.S. Community Development is for businesses and other innovators seeking to shape the future of their communities through their investments. The national conference will provide an environment aimed at helping businesses set and achieve their community investment goals.
The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million business and organizations of every size, sector and region.
Siemens AG is a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, and operates in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors. For more than 160 years, Siemens has built a reputation for leading-edge innovation and the quality of its products, services and solutions. With 428,000 employees in 190 countries, Siemens reported worldwide sales of $116.6 billion in fiscal 2008. With its U.S. corporate headquarters in New York City, Siemens in the USA reported sales of $22.4 billion and employs approximately 69,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. For more information on Siemens in the United States, visit www.usa.siemens.com
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