The summer kicked off in high gear with plans and preparations for building jobs, economic growth and cooler climates. After a wet and wild spring, jam packed with activity, IES continues to build speed and momentum for its mission. In March of 2010, IES sponsored and hosted a successful corporate conference. At this conference, over 100 business, government, academic and citizen leaders gathered for a morning of inspiration, visioning and announcements about how the sustainability train would be speeding through Central MA.
At the conference, Congressman McGovern, Lt. Gov. Tim Murray and Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Ian Bowles, spoke about the importance, benefits and regional advantages of becoming a leader in sustainability. They discussed opportunities for job and economic growth and for upgrading and improving our infrastructure. They listened as business leaders and citizens explained what their organizations were doing to create green jobs and jointly strategized about how to maximize opportunities in this sector. In the days and weeks after the conference the amount of correspondence to IES was incredible, with people from all over the Country writing and calling to share ideas, opportunities and possibilities for collaboration.
IES spent the reminder of the spring and into the early summer following up and meeting with groups and individuals from all over to discuss ways to work together and plan green business programs. Business interests as diverse as styrofoam recycling, sustainability consulting, and offshore wind turbines joined with us to pursue funding and business development opportunities. IES was a lead applicant pursuing numerous grants, foundation and funding support and continues to seek and find ways to raise capital that it can invest in helping to create the Green Business Zone.
Mixed into all this activity, IES has put together a planning group for weatherization event it is planning in the Fall. The Weatherization Roundtable, although plans are not yet finalized, is shaping up to be a terrific event where businesses and individuals with an interest in developing and promoting the supply side of energy efficiency can meet, discuss and share information and ideas. The goal of this roundtable is to build unity in the delivery of energy efficiency services throughout Central MA. As a precursor to this event, the Worcester Housing , Energy and Community working group, a multi-stakeholder group supporting weatherization efforts in the city, hosted a special meeting with Bedford New York city councilor David Gabrielson, who discussed Bedford’s adoption of the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) legislation and associated benefits and political obstacles of passing this legislation.
As the summer sun continues to bless us with nice weather, IES continues to turn up the heat building support and making progress toward a cleaner, healthier future. The remainder of July will be spent meeting with folks, redesigning our website, and applying for funding opportunities. Clean Tech Talk will post again in August –and in the meantime – for your upload of all things clean, green and within the IES dream, drop us a line, we’d be happy to chat.
