Sustainability Strengthens Local Economies

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. The Applied Sustainability Center is hosting the first Sustainable Communities Leadership Summit in Fayetteville this month to highlight ways that cities can leverage sustainability as an economic development strategy. The event will be held at the University of Arkansas Global Campus on the square in downtown Fayetteville on Oct. 17, 18 and 19. The theme of the summit is “Innovative Tools for Economic Prosperity.”

The summit includes two events that are free and open to the public. On Wednesday, Oct. 17, from 4 to 6 p.m., Odyssey Day will showcase alternative fuel vehicles on the downtown Fayetteville Square. The expo will feature alternative fuel vehicles such as the all-electric Chevy Volt, as well as vehicles that run on compressed natural gas or on liquid propane.

On Thursday, Oct. 18, from 7 to 9 p.m., director Peter Byck will screen his film Carbon Nation, in the main auditorium of the Global Campus on the Fayetteville Square. The film focuses on opportunities for job creation and innovation in response to climate change. After the screening, Byck will lead a discussion of economic opportunities arising from the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. 

According to a recent study commissioned by the U.S. Council of Mayors, city leaders increasingly view clean energy as a way to attract new business, create jobs and retain energy dollars in the local economy. For many cities, developing a greener economy is an important consideration for their energy strategy. A study by CoreNet Global found that 92 percent of corporate real estate executives consider sustainability in their location decisions.

The summit is aimed at local leaders including mayors, city council members, city professional staff, county elected officials and professional staff, chamber of commerce leaders, education professionals and non-profit leaders who are looking for innovative ways to boost their local economies. This summit will explore the connection between energy and the local economy and strategies to help cities reap the economic benefits of sustainability.

The summit opens with Jerry Tinianow, chief sustainability officer for the city and county of Denver. “Cities compete on the basis of sustainability whether they know it or not,” Tinianow said. “They are competing for investment. Investors want stability and predictability, and a successful sustainability program is the best way to assure them that they’ll have it.”

Summit participants will explore sustainability as a framework for enhancing economic prosperity, creating jobs and attracting new investment.

“People often think of sustainability from an environmental perspective. The goal of the summit is to bring together local elected officials and business leaders to rethink sustainability and how it can be used as an economic development tool,” Halsell said.