Corporate Social Responsibility

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4.29.2008 - 09:00am ET

CSR News from:	U.S. Chamber of Commerce
News Categories:	Ratings & Awards
	Community Development

U.S. Chamber and Siemens Announce Sustainable Community Award Winners

(CSRwire) WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 29, 2008 - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) and Siemens Corporation last night presented the inaugural Siemens Sustainable Community Awards to three U.S. communities: The City of Albuquerque, NM, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro, NC Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Kingsport, TN. The three communities were recognized for their capability to successfully take on challenges such as environmental stewardship, economic growth, and social capital.

"These awards go to exceptional communities and leaders who have found new ways of solving 21st century challenges," said BCLC Executive Director Stephen Jordan. "Partnerships between the business sector and local community leaders can achieve a better quality of life for people in America's cities and towns. Congratulations to the 2008 model communities."

Awards were given in the categories of:

Large Community — The City of Albuquerque won for AlbuquerqueGreen, a comprehensive sustainability plan backed by Mayor Martin J. Chávez that provides the vision and tools for the city to become a national model for energy conservation, clean energy production and use, and conservation technologies. Mayor Chávez accepted the award.

Mid-Size Community — The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce was honored 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. Aaron Nelson, president and CEO of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, and Anne McKune, director of the Foundation for a Sustainable Community, accepted the award.

Small Community — The City of Kingsport was recognized for its efforts, over the last decade, to revitalize the manufacturing town through a combination of training/workforce development, entrepreneurism, and diversification of the economic base. Jeff Fleming, assistant city manager for development, accepted the award.

"Working to create the cities of the future is in the DNA of our business at Siemens. We are proud to recognize these communities that are truly making a difference," said Jim Whaley, president of the Siemens Foundation. "Establishing this award is a natural compliment to our existing corporate responsibility efforts within the U.S. Next year, we plan to expand these awards globally."

U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue and Siemens Foundation President James Whaley presented the awards at a reception during BCLC’s National Conference on Corporate Community Investment at Anaheim’s Disneyland Resort.

BCLC is a 501(c)(3) affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is the Chamber’s voice and resource for the social and philanthropic interests of the business community. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region. www.uschamber.com/bclc.

Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) 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 nearly 400,000 employees in 190 countries, Siemens reported worldwide sales of $96.6 billion in fiscal 2007. With its U.S. corporate headquarters in New York City, Siemens in the USA reported sales of $19.8 billion and employs approximately 70,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. For more information on Siemens in the United States, visit www.usa.siemens.com.

For more information please contact:

Kitty Taylor
202-463-3133

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