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2012 Sustainable Community Award Finalists Reveal Local Initiatives That Have National Impact

U.S. Chamber and Siemens Recognize Nine Communities for Economic, Environmental, and Quality of Life Successes

2012 Sustainable Community Award Finalists Reveal Local Initiatives That Have National Impact

U.S. Chamber and Siemens Recognize Nine Communities for Economic, Environmental, and Quality of Life Successes

Published 04-02-12

Submitted by U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) and Siemens Corporation today announced the nine communities that have been selected as finalists for the fifth annual Siemens Sustainable Community Awards.  The finalists from across the country represent outstanding communities dedicated to improving their overall sustainability through impactful environmental, economic, and social solutions.

“American communities are hotbeds of social and environmental innovation,” said BCLC Founder and Executive Director Stephen Jordan.  “We received applications from 40 states across the country for this year’s Siemens Sustainable Community Awards.  The nine finalists who have made it this far deserve a lot of credit for their accomplishments and the positive impact they have had.”

The 2012 Siemens Sustainable Community Award finalists are:

  • Large Community — Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Las Vegas, NV
  • Mid-Size Community — Jersey City, NJ; Riverside, CA; Santa Monica, CA
  • Small Community — Middleton, WI; Purcellville, VA; River Falls, WI

A panel of five business, environmental, and community development experts selected the finalists from more than 135 applicants.  This year’s judges were: Amy Chan, City of San Jose, winner of the 2011 Siemens Sustainable Community Award Large Size Community category; Joel Makower, Chairman and Executive Editor, GreenBiz.com; Dan Nadenicek, Dean, University of Georgia College of Environment and Design; Michael Schmitz, Executive Director, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives USA (ICLEI USA); and Tom Wright, Executive Director, Regional Plan Association (RPA).

“More and more cities are realizing that sustainability initiatives are important levers for economic growth and competitiveness today,” observed Alison Taylor, Siemens’ Chief Sustainability Officer for the Americas.  “People and businesses want to grow in sustainable environments, and the cities are now working hard to provide this,” she explained.   

Profiles of each finalist community, as well as judges’ biographies, are available on the Siemens Sustainable Community Awards website.  The winner in each category will be announced at a reception on April 17, 2012 during BCLC’s 2012 National Conference,  in Atlanta, GA. 

About Siemens

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 Business Civic Leadership Center

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. http://bclc.uschamber.com

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center logo

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center

U.S. community development. Emerging-market development. Disaster response. Social and environmental innovation – businesses play an important role in all of these issue areas.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center is recognized in the corporate citizenship field as a source for fresh thinking, exceptional networking and practical lessons learned.

The Foundation works to strengthen collaboration and understanding among companies, corporate foundations, chambers of commerce, NGOs, and governmental offices. As a partnership facilitator, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center helps businesses find highly effective ways to invest in local communities, be responsive in times of disasters, and improve lives and livelihoods across the globe.

The Foundations mission is to work with businesses to make the world a better place. Email ccc@uschamber.com to learn more.

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