Green Economic Development
In recent months, industrial evolution has begun to converge with new policy structures to spur the green economy. This movement in the national economy presents new and exciting opportunities for economic growth and job creation for Clinton County, the state of Ohio, and the entire country. In addition to its economic opportunity, the green economy will bring about a shift towards increased material and energy efficiency; an essential component of sustainable growth.
With the green economy poised to drive the creation of a new wave of 21st century jobs across the country, ECC works to identify Clinton County’s assets as they relate to the green economy, and raise awareness about opportunities for development. ECC also seeks to build local capacity to facilitate and attract investments related to the green economy through the development of policies, incentives, and technical expertise.
What we are doing to promote the green economy in Clinton County:
Wilmington Green Enterprise Zone
ECC’s public policy initiative to designate Wilmington, OH as the country’s first, officially-designated Green Enterprise Zone which was developed collaboratively by ECC, the Clinton County Regional Planning Commission, and Pure Blue Energy.
The GEZ was adopted by Wilmington City Council on July 16, 2009. The innovative policy tool institutionalizes city capacity and expertise relating to the green economy and to attract business by incentivizing investments in energy and material efficiency and projects, LEED certified construction, and advanced energy technologies.
L.E.A.P.- Local Energy Advancement Program
LEAP is a proposed model developed by ECC for using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to stimulate investment in energy efficiency, particularly by households that are not approached by state-sponsored weatherization programs.
LEAP achieves its investment goals by providing free energy audits through ECC coupled with weatherization financing products offered through a partnership with the National Bank & Trust.
For more information on LEAP: http://energizecc.com/2009/07/07/eccccrpc-partner-on-a-new-approach-to-community-scale-energy-efficiency/
