Friday, December 6, 2013

Lewisburg Receives TVA Sustainable Community Silver Level Award

The city of Lewisburg, Tenn., has been named a Valley Sustainable Silver Community by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The Valley Sustainable Communities Program initiated by TVA Economic Development helps communities document and improve existing sustainability programs to increase their competitiveness when companies are considering investing in new or expanded locations.

Lewisburg recently completed the program sponsored by TVA, which was developed and administered by consultant Boyette Strategic Advisors (BSA).

“We are proud that Lewisburg has completed the Valley Sustainable Communities Program,” said Del Boyette, president and CEO of Boyette Strategic Advisors. “The Silver level designation recognizes that Lewisburg has community-wide sustainability in place, with some programs available to support the business community and take advantage of economic development opportunities.”

Sustainability has become a key issue for economic development organizations and communities as more corporations have demonstrated an increasing commitment to sustainability. More than 90 percent of corporate real estate executives who responded to a CoreNet Global survey on sustainability said that it is a consideration in their company location decisions. The typical reasons for this corporate commitment are reduced operating costs for increased profitability and greater employee satisfaction.

“TVA Economic Development’s mission includes working with Valley communities to help prepare them to be ready for economic growth opportunities,” said John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development. “We are seeing that more and more companies have an increasing business emphasis on sustainable operations, and are adding this component to their RFIs as they search for a community where they can locate, grow, and enhance their company’s sustainability commitments.”

Lewisburg Sustainable Community Team Members, Mayor Jim Bingham, Barbara Woods, Lisa Jackson, JECB Director Mike Wiles and Lewisburg ED Director Greg Lowe were presented the TVA Sustainable Community Silver Level Award at a luncheon on December 3 in Nashville.

“This kind of recognition validates our efforts to become a progressive, business-friendly and environmentally sound community,” said Lewisburg Mayor Jim Bingham. “We are going to continue efforts such as this as we move forward with more plans and projects to make the best city to live, work and do business.”



Lewisburg receives TVA Sustainable Community Silver Level Award – Picture (L-R) are: Senior Vice President of Economic Development for the Tennessee Valley Authority John Bradley, Lewisburg Director of Economic Development Greg Lowe, Sustainable Community Team Member Barbara Woods, Lewisburg Mayor Jim Bingham, Sustainable Community Team Member Lisa Jackson, Marshall Co. JECDB Director Mike Wiles and President/CEO of Boyette Strategic Advisors Del Boyette. 

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Upcoming Job Fair

Job Fair November 20, 2013

10:00 a.m. -  2:00 p.m. at Goodwill Career Solutions
Lewisburg Career Solutions – 130 The Acres, Lewisburg, TN

Genesco/Randstad seeks to fill general warehouse distribution positions in Chapel Hill.

 Applicants must be able to hand load/unload boxes of shoes weighing up to 35 lbs., stand, walk, bend, stoop, twist and stack overhead. Frequent overtime.

Bring your résumé, photo ID, and Social Security card or birth certificate. Dress for success. Be prepared to complete job applications and to interview.

For more information, contact Career Counselor, Jamie Bone at 931.359.4243 or email jamie.bone@givegw.org

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Lewisburg, Tenn., Named as Valley Sustainable Silver Community

Lewisburg, Tenn., October 22, 2013 – The city of Lewisburg, Tenn., has been named a Valley Sustainable Silver Community by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The Valley Sustainable Communities Program initiated by TVA Economic Development helps communities document and improve existing sustainability programs to increase their competitiveness when companies are considering investing in new or expanded locations.

Lewisburg recently completed the program sponsored by TVA, which was developed and administered by consultant Boyette Strategic Advisors (BSA).

“We are proud that Lewisburg has completed the Valley Sustainable Communities Program,” said Del Boyette, president and CEO of Boyette Strategic Advisors. “The Silver level designation recognizes that Lewisburg has community-wide sustainability in place, with some programs available to support the business community and take advantage of economic development opportunities.”

Sustainability has become a key issue for economic development organizations and communities as more corporations have demonstrated an increasing commitment to sustainability. More than 90 percent of corporate real estate executives who responded to a CoreNet Global survey on sustainability said that it is a consideration in their company location decisions. The typical reasons for this corporate commitment are reduced operating costs for increased profitability and greater employee satisfaction.

“TVA Economic Development’s mission includes working with Valley communities, like Lewisburg, to help them be ready for economic growth opportunities,” said John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development. “We are seeing that more and more companies have an increasing business emphasis on sustainable operations, and are adding this component to their RFIs as they search for a community where they can locate, grow, and enhance their company’s sustainability commitments.”

“We are extremely proud to receive this recognition from TVA,” said Lewisburg Mayor Jim Bingham. “We work very hard to be the kind of community people want to live and work and one that supports its business and industry. It feels very good to have those efforts rewarded by agencies such as TVA and Boyette Strategic Advisors.”

“I am very excited to be able to market this accomplishment along with our partners at TVA,” said Lewisburg Director of Economic Development Greg Lowe. “I believe that our being recognized for our sustainability by TVA and BSA will help us to better demonstrate to prospective industries, businesses and potential residents that Lewisburg is not only looking forward, but moving forward.”


Lewisburg, Tennessee is located along I-65 just 50 miles from Nashville, Tennessee and Huntsville, Alabama. It’s location and its commitment to industrial development has made it one of the strongest manufacturing-based communities in Tennessee. 

Monday, October 21, 2013

Career fair slated for Tuesday


From Staff Reports


The Tennessee Career Centers in Maury County are partnering
with State Rep. Sheila Butt to host hiring fair with more than 30 employers,
according to a press release.
The event will be from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday at the Northfield Workforce
Development and Conference Center in Spring Hill, 5000 Northfield Lane.
Employers featured at the event will be Calsonic Kansei North America Inc,
Maury County government, Smelter Services Corporation, Middle Tenn
Juvenile Detention Center, Franklin Marriott Cool Springs and Maury
County schools. There will be job opportunities in various fields.
For more information call (931) 490-3792.

Friday, October 11, 2013

Comfort Research Grand Opening October 9 2013

Comfort Research opens in ICP building

Friday, October 11, 2013

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Tennessee College of Applied Technology Workforce Development Meeting with Industries


Tennessee College of Applied Technology
Workforce Training Meeting with Marshall County Industry

Columbia State Community College-Lewisburg
Friday, October 25, 2013
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
RSVP Greg Lowe – (931) 993-7499 or greg.lowe@lewisburgtn.gov
(Lunch will be provided)

This meeting will focus on the Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Pulaski Industrial Maintenance Technology Program, the Advanced Manufacturing Education Program, the current curriculum and instructors, future curriculum changes needed by local industry and industry partnership potential with TCAT-Pulaski.
Local industries are encouraged to send one or more representatives prepared to discuss in detail the current workforce needs of the company and needs moving forward.
The Tennessee College of Applied Technology (formerly the Tennessee Technology Center) is in the process of developing training curriculum that will serve the needs of industry in the region to insure a regional workforce is in place with the skills, education and training levels needed to provide each industry a quality workforce - today and in the future.

Agenda:
TCAT Instructor Dino Owen will make a presentation outlining the current training curriculum being offered at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Pulaski, industries being served and placement of students, current industry partnerships and future plans.
Following his presentation, Mr. Owen would like to have a discussion with industry representatives to address the following questions:
1.   What training is most needed by your industry today and in the foreseeable future?
2.   What has been your company’s experience with TCAT students, if any?
3.   How can TCAT better serve your company’s training needs?
4.   How can your company and TCAT better work together to serve those training needs?
5.   Is your company interested in a specified and customized training program through TCAT?
6.   Is your company interested in providing equipment or funding for equipment to assist TCAT training?
7.   Is your company interested in the potential of a Lewisburg training site for current and future employees?

Workforce Development is issue #1 in the region. The goal of this meeting is to assist TCAT-Pulaski in its program development to address the skills and/or quality of workforce gap facing manufacturing in Southern Middle Tennessee.

Please make plans to attend this meeting to provide the level of input only you can provide.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

TN Career Center-Lewisburg hosting Hiring Event for HG Staffing

Communications Coordinator at South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance
TN Career Center-Lewisburg hosting Hiring Event for HG Staffing, Oct 10th 9AM-1PM, 980 S Ellington Pkwy, Lewisburg (inside the Columbia State Community College-Lewisburg campus)

Positions available:

Machine operator
Warehouse
Shipping and Receiving

Call 931-380-2500 or 931-490-3800 for more information

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Apply for Jobs in Marshall County

Apply online to Calsonic Kansei (CKNA)

www.calsonicjobs.com

1. Scroll down to Common Searches

2. Click on Lewisburg

3. Click on job title of interest

4. Read Job Description completely

5. Click to Apply

6. Once the online application is complete, call (931) 270-2485 for an appointment


Apply online at Teledyne

www.teledynecareers.com

1. Click on Job Search

2. Select Tennessee from dropdown box

3. Click Search to view all current openings

4. Click on Job Title and read job description

5. Click on Apply



Apply online at RockTenn

www.rocktenn.com

1. Click on Careers

2. Select Tennessee-TN

3. Click Search to view all job openings

Once you find a job opening, you will need to register a username and password to submit your application.


Apply online at Genesco

www.genesco.com

1. Click on Careers

2. Click on Tennessee Distribution Centers from dropdown menu

3. Select Tennessee

4. Select Chapel Hill and then arrows for job openings at the Chapel Hill location

5. Click Apply next to job opening description


Apply online at IbexGlobal

www.ibexglobal.com

1. Select Careers

2. Select Click Here to view current job openings

3. Select New Candidate Search

4. Select Job

5. Click Apply

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

CKNA Announces Lewisburg Expansion of 526 New Jobs

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty, along with Calsonic Kansei North America, Inc. (CKNA) officials today announced the company will invest $109 million and add 1,200 new manufacturing jobs across its facilities in Lewisburg, Shelbyville and Smyrna, Tenn. 

"We are grateful to Calsonic Kansei for this significant investment that is creating more than 1,000 Tennessee jobs,” Gov. Haslam said.  “Along with supporting existing businesses, a big part of our economic development strategy is to focus on the things we do well, and this expansion further solidifies our state’s leadership in auto manufacturing.”
 
“For an unprecedented fourth year in a row, Tennessee ranks as the No. 1 state in the nation for automotive manufacturing strength and CKNA’s major investment in our state reaffirms why we continue to earn this distinction,” Hagerty said. “With a low tax rate, unbeatable logistical advantages and high quality workforce, Tennessee offers companies a unique opportunity to thrive. I appreciate Calsonic Kansei, Inc.’s investment and the valuable jobs they will provide for Tennesseans.” 
 
This is the third 1,000 plus jobs announcement in the last two months. In July, global services company ARAMARK announced an investment of $20 million and the creation of 1,000 jobs for a new Business Services Center in Nashville. In late August, UBS—one of the world’s largest banking and financial services companies—announced the company will establish a shared services center in Nashville, investing $36.5 million and creating 1,000 new jobs over the next five years.
 
“CKNA is pleased to announce its largest expansion in our history in Middle Tennessee,” Calsonic Kansei North America Vice President Human Resources and Legal Bob Masteller said. “We’ll be adding 1,200 jobs across three of our locations in Middle Tennessee, and we are also grateful for the teamwork and cooperation with Gov. Haslam and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, who are partnering with us in this expansion. We believe the citizens of Tennessee are one of the best workforces in the world, and we are pleased to be a part of the community in Middle Tennessee.”
 
CKNA will invest $49.8 million at its Lewisburg facility, which manufactures electronic components for meters, inverters and dash electronics, and plastics components for interiors. Approximately 526 new jobs will be created over the next three years, in addition to the current 1,117 people already employed at this location. CKNA’s investment in Lewisburg will also include the construction of a new 300,000 square foot warehouse facility.
 
"We in Marshall County are excited about CKNA on their announcement of expansion and the creation of new jobs,” Marshall County Mayor Joe Liggett said. “This means more opportunities for those who are willing to work to be able to feed their families and pay their bills. CKNA is also to be commended on their commitment of capital investment in these counties."
 
CKNA will invest $57.6 million at its Shelbyville facility, which manufactures exhaust units, catalytic converters and manifolds. Approximately 489 new jobs will be created over the next three years, in addition to the 1,010 people who currently work at this location.
 
“I am proud of Calsonic,” Bedford County Mayor Eugene Ray said. “They started with five people and we are very excited for their continued growth in our community. The financial investment Calsonic is making in Bedford County is invaluable.”
 
CKNA will invest $2.1 million at its Smyrna facility, which is located within the Nissan plant and places Calsonic products into the Nissan vehicles. Approximately 183 new jobs will be created over the next three years, in addition to the 469 people who are currently employed at this location.
 
“Rutherford County continues to benefit from the growth in the automotive industry, and we are delighted that Calsonic has decided to expand its presence in our community,” Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess said. “Calsonic has been a great business partner, and the new jobs will provide excellent opportunities for our citizens.”
 
“TVA congratulates Calsonic Kansei Corporation on the announcement to expand its automotive parts manufacturing operations in three middle Tennessee locations,” TVA senior vice president of Economic Development John Bradley said. “TVA and the local power service providers in these communities are pleased to partner with the State of Tennessee and local leaders as they help existing companies prosper and add quality jobs in our region.”
 
CKNA expects the expansions will be completed around December 2015.
 
Anyone interested in applying for a job at any of the CKNA locations can visit www.calsonic.com.
 
About Calsonic Kansei
Calsonic Kansei North America is the largest parts supplier to Nissan in North America. Calsonic Kansei is a global company that manufactures exhaust systems, thermal components, cockpit modules, consoles, front end modules and dash modules for the automotive industry as a tier 1 supplier. 
 
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies, which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tn.gov/ecd. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Marshall Co. Schools Receive Three Reward Schools from State

On Monday, August 19, the State Department of Education announced the Reward Schools for the 2012-13 school year. Marshall County has three schools on the list: Cornersville Elementary School, Lewisburg Middle School, and Forrest High School. These schools were in the top 5% of the schools in the state for having high student growth. Marshall County had more Reward Schools than any other school system in the South Central Region.
In addition, out of 136 school systems in Tennessee, Marshall County ranked 17th in the state in math for grades 3-8, 63rd in reading, 47th in science and 23rd in social studies. Marshall County was one of 32 systems not cited for needing improvement in a sub-group area.
“We are thrilled with this progress and with these awards; however, we still have a lot of work to do to reach the achievement levels we want our students to attain. Our teachers (system-wide) have worked very hard while under a lot of pressure and with many changes this past year. I am very proud of them and their dedication to the children of Marshall County,” said Jackie Abernathy, Director of Schools. “I also want to thank Bill Byford and the South Central CORE office for offering Marshall County their expertise and support.
“Now it is time to move forward, use what we have learned this year, and provide this year’s students with the best education possible. Next year, we want to be the #1 school system in the state!”

Congratulations to the teachers, students, staffs, and administrators of Marshall County’s Reward Schools. They have worked extremely hard to reach this status.


Data collected through: 8/20/2013
This chart shows how Tennessee schools scored on achievement and end-of-course tests in 2013.
Below Basic indicates a student who has not mastered a subject
Basic Scores show a partial mastery
Proficient indicates a full mastery of a subject
Advanced Scores  are for students who display superior mastery in a subject

The state’s goal is to move more students into the proficient and advanced categories. For each subject, the chart shows the combined percentage of proficient and advanced students and the change from last year's results.
Source: Tennessee Department of Education




Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Lewisburg Vision Plan Community Meeting Aug. 20 - 6 p.m. at Lewisburg Recreation Center

Lewisburg Holds Vision Plan Meetings to Develop 20-Year Plan
The City of Lewisburg and the Lewisburg Community Development Board has been conducting Vision Plan meetings with the planning professionals of Hodgson Douglas in conjunction with The Walker Collaborative and the Kennon Calhoun Workshop to assist in the development of a 20-year plan. 

  
The mission of the Vision Plan project is to develop a strategic smart growth plan of action with immediate goals, mid-term goals and long-term goals that will improve the overall economic health and well-being of the City of Lewisburg. 
Group sessions have been held to receive input from various sectors of the community from industry and small business to education and health care. A community input and report meeting is scheduled for August 20, 2013 - 6:00 p.m. at the Lewisburg Recreation Center
The plan will be developed from these sessions and from information gathered during a community assessment conducted in 2012 with a group from the Wyoming Economic Development Council. 
Key points outlined from sessions so far to be addressed in the plan include: Amenities and Appearance, Workforce and Education, Destination Development, Downtown Revitalization, Corridor Development and Promotion and Utilization of Existing Assets.

Lewisburg Participates in Sustainable Communities Development Program
Lewisburg, TN has applied and been accepted to participate in the Valley Sustainable Communities Program.
This new program is being sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and managed by Boyette Strategic Advisors (BSA).
                    
The Valley Sustainable Communities Program was initiated by TVA Economic Development as part of its community preparedness offerings to provide a framework that assists communities in evaluating existing sustainable programs, cataloging sustainable assets and increasing commitments to sustainability. The goal of the programs is to increase the likelihood that communities will be viewed as progressive and competitive by companies planning to invest in new or expanded business locations. BSA and TVA staff will be administering the program and meeting in person with communities' sustainability teams to help develop and implement sustainable initiatives and increase awareness of existing programs. 
The program recognizes communities at three levels - Silver, Gold and Platinum - based on the sustainability programs currently in place. While a wide variety of sustainable initiatives contribute to a community's level or recognition, those programs directly related to business and industry support and economic development receive greater emphasis.
"Lewisburg has already made a significant commitment to sustainability. This new program provides us with the opportunity to document, further develop and be recognized for our sustainable initiatives, that will help differentiate us in the tough competition for new investment and job creation prospects," said Mayor Jim Bingham. "As the process further develops, we will be updating the status of the program and our community's progress in this important area of corporate sustainability."
Sustainability has become a key issue for economic development organizations and communities, as more corporations have demonstrated an increasing commitment to sustainability. More than 90 percent of corporate real estate executives who responded to a CoreNet Global survey on sustainability said that it is a consideration in their company location decisions. The typical reasons for this corporate commitment are reduced operating costs for increased profitability and greater employee satisfaction.


About the Lewisburg, TN : 
“In the Middle of Everything”  Lewisburg, TN benefits from a prime geographic location nestled between the Great Lakes and the Gulf Coast, the Atlantic Ocean and the Midwest, Knoxville, TN to the East, Memphis, TN to the West, Nashville, TN to the North and Huntsville, AL to the South. Lewisburg strives to be a center of Industry and Commerce along the I-65 corridor and implements an economic development program to benefit existing industry and commerce while creating an attractive package for new industry and commerce.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

2013 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards Include CKNA of Lewisburg

(The following article amended from original as reported in TheChattanoogan.com - http://www.chattanoogan.com/2013/6/5/252643/2013-Governors-Environmental.aspx  )
Calsonic Kansei of North America was among the winners of the 2013 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards announced Tuesday by Governor Bill Haslam and Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau. The 11 winners will be recognized for their achievements and positive impact on the state’s natural resources in an awards ceremony to be held in Nashville on June 25. 
“The continued health of Tennessee’s air, land and water plays a critical role in keeping our communities strong and attractive for locating a business or raising a family,” Governor Haslam said.
 “Recognizing the innovative efforts that help conserve and protect our natural resources is important, and today’s announcement shows that Tennesseans are committed to caring for our state in a way that affects today and future generations.” 
The Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards program recognizes exceptional voluntary actions that improve or protect our environment and natural resources with projects or initiatives not required by law or regulation.  In its 27th year, the program covers nine categories: Building Green; Clean Air, Energy and Renewable Resources; Environmental Education and Outreach; Environmental Education and Outreach (school category); Land Use; Materials Management; Natural Heritage; and Sustainable Performance. 
The 2013 awards roster includes two Pursuit of Excellence Awards, which recognize past award winners who continue to demonstrate a high level of environmental stewardship practices.  The winner of one additional honor, the Robert Sparks Walker Lifetime Achievement Award, will be announced at the awards ceremony in June. 
A panel of 28 judges representing agricultural, conservation, and environmental professionals evaluated more than 100 nominations and selected this year’s award recipients based on criteria including on-the-ground achievement, innovation and public education.
“The quality of our environment directly affects our quality of life, impacting how Tennesseans live, work and play,” said Commissioner Martineau.  “It's important that we pause to recognize the people and organizations that work so hard to protect our environment, while teaching others about sustainability.” 
The 2013 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award winners are:
Category: Excellence in Building Green
Music City Center (Davidson County) - The Music City Center is not only Nashville’s new state-of-the-art convention center, it also can boast as being one of the city’s most environmentally friendly facilities.   At 2.1 million square feet, it is also one of Nashville’s largest buildings. Some of the major sustainable features of this $585 million facility include a 175,000-square-foot (approximately four acres) green roof, the largest in Tennessee; a 360,000-gallon rainwater collection tank; a 211 kilowatt solar panel system; and LED lighting throughout the building. The Music City Center’s innovative approach to stormwater capture and reuse will achieve a truly impressive 70 percent overall reduction in potable water use by the entire building. The high performance building envelope, coupled with its energy efficient lighting fixtures and controls and a high-efficiency HVAC system, results in a building that is 14 percent more energy efficient overall. The Music City Center is on track to become LEED-Silver certified, making it one of only 18 LEED-certified convention centers in the entire U.S.
Category: Excellence in Clean Air
Smart Trips (Anderson, Blount, Cocke, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Roane, and Sevier Counties) - Smart Trips promotes clean air by encouraging reduced vehicle miles traveled in the East Tennessee region. This innovative program serves residents of Knox and seven surrounding counties, and allows participants to earn gift cards to local merchants for driving less. Started in 2003, Smart Trips grew by a quantum leap in 2012, adding 585 new registrants for a total of 1,190 participants, with the gain in popularity due in part to enhanced incentives and a robust outreach campaign. Smart Trips users logged 589,133 miles in “alternative” commutes last year, including carpool, vanpool, transit, bicycle, walking, telework, and compressed work weeks. This represents 253.4 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions prevented, as well as significant reductions of NOx, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and other tailpipe air pollutants. The Smart Trips program was nationally recognized for its efforts and successes in 2012 by the National Center for Transit Research, earning the coveted Gold Award for its creative approach to transportation demand management.
Category: Excellence in Energy and Renewable Resources
Brother International Corporation Energy Star Certification 2012 (Shelby County) -In 2012, Brother International Corporation achieved ENERGY STAR certification for their 1.6-million-square-foot distribution center in Bartlett, Tenn.  Brother International’s distribution center is the largest commercial facility and one of only 12 in Tennessee to have received an ENERGY STAR rating – and by doing so has doubled the total ENERGY STAR square footage in the state. Initiatives that made this certification possible include the use of higher chiller set-points; variable drive systems for heating and cooling systems; installation of energy efficient reflective roofing; and other building and equipment upgrades; as well as the construction of two 60 kilowatt solar farms that together, generate nearly 180,000 kilowatt hours of clean renewable energy per year.
Category: Excellence in Environmental Education and Outreach
Cumberland Region Tomorrow’s Quality Growth Toolbox Education and Outreach Initiative (Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Maury, Montgomery, Sumner, Robertson, Rutherford, Williamson, and Wilson Counties) - Cumberland Region Tomorrow works to encourage growth planning and implementation by bringing people and organizations together to communicate, collaborate, and take action on issues of Middle Tennessee’s future growth and development. Cumberland Region Tomorrow’s Quality Growth Toolbox Education and Outreach Initiative promotes the adoption of innovative professional practices in community development; comprehensive planning; community reinvestment and design; strategic open space conservation; integrated land use and transportation planning; and targeted infrastructure investments that are proven to directly impact environmental quality and outcomes. The Quality Growth Toolbox project efforts teach key public and private leaders how to implement quality growth planning and sustainable development practices that have a direct environmental impact. These improved practices have resulted in the creation of new comprehensive plans and support zoning and codes that create more sustainable growth patterns, preserve farmlands and important open spaces, and guide development into existing communities.
Category: Excellence in Environmental Education and Outreach / Schools
Lipscomb Academy Elementary School: Leading Actively in Environmental Service (Davidson County) - Beginning in 2012, third-grade teachers and students at Lipscomb Academy Elementary School implemented a year-long project with several service learning components. The project, “Keep Our Water Clean,” focused students’ academic studies on environmentally safe disposal practices for unused prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Students studied the production of medications and engaged in several hands-on experiments, and learned that medications dumped into the landfill or flushed down the toilet leach into soil and remain in the water supply.
They subsequently made their findings public using a variety of media and venues. Finally, the third-graders collaborated with the Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy, Nissan North America, and the Nashville Police Department to host a Household Hazardous Waste collection event where 21,768 pills (163 pounds) were collected, preventing the medications from entering Nashville’s water supply. Throughout the project, students informed thousands of Nashvillians about the proper disposal of medications to prevent water pollution, antibiotic resistance, and medicine residue in soil and food products. The project received first place in Tennessee for Disney’s Planet Challenge, and ranked in the top eight projects in Disney’s national competition.
Category: Excellence in Land Use
Greensboro North Transit Ready Development (Sumner County) - Greensboro North Transit Ready Development is one of the first new communities in Middle Tennessee to be planned, designed and constructed as a traditional neighborhood village around a transit station. The new transit station will be a central feature of the community with offices, retailers and residences located within walking distance. The development location is on 150 acres in Gallatin, Tenn. and will capitalize on the future transit line along the northeast corridor from Gallatin to downtown Nashville. Greensboro North takes a bold new approach by requiring “minimum density per acre,” which will maximize the land development, conserve resources, and help ensure the viability of the transit station. Greensboro North is designed to accommodate a vertical mix of uses including commercial, office, a variety of housing options, and a minimum of 20 percent open space. It will promote a compact community connected by a walkable and bikeable network of streets and trails. The plan also encourages the use of low-impact development and innovative stormwater techniques to incorporate ecological principles.
Category: Excellence in Materials Management
CKNA-Lewisburg Goes Zero Landfill (Marshall County) - Calsonic Kansei North America reached a very significant milestone last year by becoming landfill free at their Lewisburg, Tenn. manufacturing facility. Since February 2012, the first month that “zero landfill” status was accomplished, no waste from this facility has been disposed via landfill. Calsonic-Lewisburg recycled 2,290 tons of combined cardboard and plastic in 2012 – an increase of nearly 112 percent compared to 2009, the year prior to implementing Project Zero. The material recycled in 2012 alone represents a savings of more than 15,000 cubic yards of landfill space, 75,706 million BTUs of energy, almost 377,000 gallons of oil, and 6571 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions avoided – just to name a few of the project’s many environmental benefits. Currently, all but approximately 5 to 8 percent of the waste material generated at Calsonic-Lewisburg is being recycled, and this is being sent to a waste-to-energy facility where it is incinerated to produce renewable electricity. While this method is significantly more expensive than it would be to landfill this material, it further underscores Calsonic-Lewisburg’s exceptional commitment to sustainable management of our natural resources, and to their community.
Category: Excellence in Natural Heritage
Harpeth River Restoration Project (Williamson County) - For nearly 50 years, a low-head dam located on the main stem of the Harpeth River in Franklin, Tenn., impounded water and restricted the movement of fish. The Harpeth River Restoration Project represents a major initiative in restoring and enhancing one of Tennessee’s increasingly valuable and scenic rivers.   Selected as the sole demonstration project in Tennessee under the Great American Outdoors Rivers Initiative, this project illustrates how it is possible to restore the natural flow and ecology of a river system, while still allowing for drinking water withdrawals. Removal of the dam in July 2012 makes the Harpeth one of the few free-flowing rivers in Tennessee; improves habitat for key, rare species; improves water quality by reducing sediment and erosion; and enhances recreational access and safety. The project’s ecological significance cannot be overestimated as the Harpeth is one of a very unique system of southeastern rivers that together hold more biodiversity than anywhere else in the world.
Category: Excellence in Sustainable Performances
Chattanooga Airport Sustainability: The Green Initiative (Hamilton County) - As a cornerstone of the community, the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority shares the city’s vision for sustainability. CMAA’s Green Initiative pledge has resulted in numerous sustainability projects over the past five years – such as its efforts toward LEED certification for all new construction and a major commitment to renewable energy.  The recently constructed West Side Aviation Campus is the first such development in the world to be certified LEED Platinum. Installation of a one-megawatt solar farm in 2011, with an additional two megawatts to be constructed beginning in 2013, will effectively make the Chattanooga Airport energy self-sufficient and carbon neutral. A variety of energy-efficient lighting upgrades have reduced the airport’s electricity consumption by more than two megawatts. An innovative stormwater and flood control demonstration project using green infrastructure, a variety of recycling programs, and community education are also part of CMAA’s continuing efforts. 
Pursuit of Excellence Recognition
Bonnaroo (Coffee County) - For five days each year, 100,000 concert goers descend on Manchester, Tn. for the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival – one of the largest outdoor concert events in the country. Bonnaroo was recognized in 2010 with a Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award for its outstanding efforts to reduce waste produced at the festival. In 2012, Bonnaroo’s organizers turned their focus to energy use, hiring Knoxville-based Sustainable Future to design and install a 50 kilowatt solar array. The array is expected to offset approximately 20 percent of Bonnaroo’s annual electric bill, while generating clean, renewable energy that is sent back to Duck River Utilities throughout the year. The project was fully funded with voluntary attendee contributions, along with a modest $1 per ticket surcharge. Bonnaroo is the first major festival in the country to have a permanent and significant solar array, further demonstrating their commitment to environmental leadership and once again raising the bar for other festivals.
Pursuit of Excellence Recognition
Volkswagen’s Pursuit of Environmental Excellence (Hamilton County) - Volkswagen of North America received a 2011 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award for Excellence in Building Green for their $1 billion LEED Platinum-certified Chattanooga production facility. As soon as construction was completed and full-scale production commenced, the site began implementing ongoing sustainablity initiatives in multiple areas. These include dual certification in ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO 50001 (Energy Management); a 9.5-megawatt solar array, the largest in Tennessee and the largest at any U.S. auto plant; restoration and protection of a 40-acre onsite wetland; several projects designed to minimize packaging waste; a pilot project for the reuse of powdered limestone used in their “Eco Dry” paint scrubber system; and an innovative process for “destructive testing” of welded frames, resulting in a 93 percent decrease in the amount of scrap metal generated. These projects demonstrate Volkswagen’s ongoing commitment to sustainability under its “Think Blue Factory” philosophy, a broadly focused initiative for all Volkswagen plants to achieve more efficient use of energy, materials and water, while producing less waste and emissions.