Eleven honored with Growing Green Awards at statewide conference

Nine projects and two elected officials were honored with a 2011 Growing Green Communities Award for promoting sustainable rural development. The awards showcase the best initiatives for creating economic value and opportunity through environmental stewardship, energy conservation and sustainable practices in Texas rural communities.

The awards were presented by the Texas Engineering Extension Service and the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) on Nov. 15 during the Texas Statewide Rural Sustainability Conference in Austin. The conference focused on “Harnessing Energy for Rural Communities” and featured a cadre of experts addressing sustainable technologies, “green” careers and financial incentives and policies relating to green initiatives.

The awards recognized elected officials, businesses, schools, rural communities, and electric cooperatives and utilities for policies and sustainable practices dedicated to energy efficiency, renewable energy solutions and clean energy technologies that create sustainable communities. The categories were judged on the degree to which the effort or project saved money, made money or created jobs in Texas rural communities.

The winners were: Boerne Independent School District;, Katherine Anne Porter School, Wimberley; City of Fairview; City of Sweetwater; Guadalupe County Electric Cooperative; Bryan Texas Utilities; Brazos Valley Trash Valet and Recycling; Red Caboose Winery; and Recycled Granite. The elected officials who received the award were Judge Terry Simpson of San Patricio County and Judge Loyd Neal of Nueces County.

About the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)
TEEX, a member of The Texas A&M University System, offers hands-on, customized, first-responder training, homeland security exercises, technical assistance and technology transfer services impacting Texas and beyond. TEEX programs include fire services, homeland security, law enforcement, public works, safety and health, search and rescue, and economic development.