The U.S.
Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) and
Siemens Corporation announced today that Chicago, Illinois; Santa
Monica, California; and Purcellville, Virginia were chosen from among
132 communities across 40 states to become this year?s Siemens
Sustainable Community Award winners. The three communities honored today
were applauded for their focus on a multi-disciplinary approach to
sustainability which has positively impacted local businesses and
enhanced the quality of life among its citizens.
?The awards show just how much the concept of sustainability has evolved
for U.S. municipalities,? said U.S. Chamber BCLC Founder and Executive
Director Stephen Jordan. ?Chicago, Santa Monica, and Purcellville show
that getting sustainability right improves quality of life, the
efficient use of resources, competitiveness, and attractiveness for
residents and visitors.?
Last night, David Chavern, U.S. Chamber executive vice president and
chief operating officer, and Alison Taylor, Siemens vice president of
sustainability - Americas, announced the 2012 winners during a reception
in Atlanta, Georgia, itself a past Community Award finalist.
In the category of large community, Chicago won the award for its
multi-stakeholder approach to implementing the Chicago Climate Action
Plan. Area businesses, advocacy groups, philanthropists, utilities,
government offices, museums, and restaurants all play a part in
achieving results against the plan, which is an element of Mayor Rahm
Emanuel?s broad strategy to integrate sustainability throughout Chicago
and its government.
In the midsize community category, Santa Monica won the award for
setting strategic citywide goals that are reinforced across multiple
planning areas, such as resource conservation, economic growth, open
space and land use, housing, transportation, civic participation, and
human services.
In the small community category, Purcellville, won the award for
its proactive use of land and natural resources. Additionally,
Purcellville?s ?Go Green? goals are now part of the town?s comprehensive
sustainability plan. Despite the national recession, Purcellville
thrives economically and has received recognition from Virginia Governor
Bob McDonnell and former Virginia Governor Tim Kaine for its
sustainability efforts.
A judging
panel of five academic, community development, and media
professionals selected the finalists and winners. Other finalists in the
large, midsize, and small categories included: Boston, Massachusetts;
Jersey City, New Jersey; Las Vegas, Nevada; Middleton, Wisconsin; River
Falls, Wisconsin; and Riverside, California.
?What these communities have done so well, is use sustainability as a
lever to overall community success, instead of as a stand-alone program
to pursue specific environmental outcomes,? said Siemens? Alison Taylor.
?This holistic approach is a truer indicator of a community?s
sustainability.?
The U.S. Chamber BCLC and Siemens created the Sustainable Community
Awards in 2008 to give rise to U.S. communities that are taking
proactive steps to improve quality of life, be a steward of the
environment, and increase the ability to sustain a successful community
for generations to come. As part of the award, Chicago, Santa Monica,
and Purcellville will receive $20,000 worth of trees from the Alliance
for Community Trees.
Full information about the awards program, including reactions
from each of the winning communities and members of the judging panel,
is available on the Siemens
Sustainable Community Awards website. To view the multimedia assets
associated with this release, please visit: http://inr.synapticdigital.com/siemens/sustainability2012.
About Siemens Corporation
Siemens Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, a global
powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, operating in the
industry, energy, healthcare, infrastructure and cities sectors. For
more than 160 years, Siemens has built a reputation for leading-edge
innovation and the quality of its products, services and solutions.
Siemens in the USA reported revenue of around $20 billion and employs
approximately 60,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
For more information on Siemens in the United States, visit www.usa.siemens.com.
About the U.S. Chamber BCLC
BCLC
is the U.S. Chamber?s resource and voice for businesses? social and
philanthropic interests. Its mission is to advance the positive role of
business in society. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world?s largest
business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million
businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and
local chambers and industry associations.