Indiana Association of Cities and Towns

Explanation and purpose of this program

Sustainable development concepts, low impact development, energy conservation programs, and similar management approaches can all be considered part of a "green" program for a municipal government. Green programs are valuable to our environment and to our bottom line. In a time of extreme needs to cut costs at the municipal level, many green concepts can save a community money, while simultaneously conserving environmental resources and improving the quality of life for a community. Improved quality of life, in turn, can help support economic development goals.

This is IACT's third year implementing the Green Communities Initiative for the collective purposes of:

• Improving awareness about green options and how to implement them
• Promoting municipal efforts through a peer recognition/awards program
• Awarding the most aggressive green programs (categorized by the following population categories - note some questions are not required for scoring for smaller population communities):
  • Community with population of 50,000 or greater:
  • Community with population: 10,000 to 49,999:
  • Community with population: 5,000 to 9,999
  • Communities with population: 1 to 4,999

This Initiative is comprised of:

• An increase in the number of workshops offered each year that are focused on environmental programs, their value, and how to implement them (offered only to increase educational opportunities, but not a requirement to participate in awards program)
• A survey that can be completed by communities who are interested in meeting the program criteria (required to participate in awards program)
• An awards program that recognizes those communities who meet minimum criteria and annually honors one community that has done the most in this area.